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The city of Roseville, California is located 16 miles north of Sacramento, which is the state capital. The next closest large city is San Francisco, which is about 100 miles to the southwest—perfect for big-city weekend getaways. Roseville is in Placer County, and traces its origins as far back as 1864, when the railroads intersected, creating a shipping point, and soon, a village. With the shipping of everything from California valley fruits to WWII troops, Roseville was soon one of the most important railroad towns in the state.
Geography and Land Use
Roseville is geographically located at the base of the Sierra Nevadas, and its weather is moderated by the foothills of that mountain range. Its temperatures aren’t as extreme in the summer as Sacramento, and tend to be cooler in the winter. At 165 feet above sea level, Roseville residents have the best of both world—milder weather but close proximity to the mountains. Roseville comprises an area of about 35 miles and has around 100,000 residents. Forty-three percent of the land is used for single family dwellings, with about 4% being multi-family dwellings. Twenty-six percent of the city’s land is devoted to parks, open space and other community-friendly uses. About 27% of the land is used for commercial and business ventures or industry.
Employment
Because of its nearness to Sacramento, Roseville acts as a bedroom community for that city, and much of its employment is generated by government work. Twenty-five percent of the employment is government-related. In 2006, the ten firms employing the largest numbers of workers were:
- Hewlett-Packard 3,857
- Kaiser Permanente 3,062
- Sutter Roseville Medical Center 1,922
- Union Pacific Railroad 1,328
- City of Roseville 1,233
- Roseville Joint Union High School District 975
- Roseville Elementary School District 840
- NEC Electronics 800
- PRIDE Industries 800
- Wal-Mart (2 stores) 690
Population, Education and Income
The population of Roseville as of 2005 was 108,000. When broken into age groups, the population appears normally distributed, with the majority of the population being between 20 and 50 years old. A slightly larger than usual population of those between the ages of 20 and 25 may be in part due to the fact that Roseville is within a reasonable distance of 6 universities, 5 community colleges and 8 trade schools. Combined with the local opportunities for employment, the area may be a magnet for younger adults. As of 2005, the median household income in Roseville was $57,637, and the average cost of a three bedroom single family home was just under $400,000.
Like many California cities, Roseville has an educated workforce. Of those 25 years and older, more than 92% have completed high school or higher, and 33% have the B.A. or higher. Another 26% have had some college, 45% have Associates or the B.A., and 8.5% have graduate or professional degrees. (These statistics come from the Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2005).
Roseville’s crime rate is low: the city employs nearly 200 police officers. City spirit is evident in recreational activities: there are seasonal festivals, family-friendly parties and events and art tours. There is live theater, an aquatics complex and a sports facility offering gym activities and fitness courses. There are several golf courses in the area. Roseville boasts 41 city parks, 16 miles of off-road bike trails, and another 80 miles of bike trails on the roads. Boating, water skiing, picnicking, horseback rising and fishing are al possible at nearby Folsom Lake. A good climate means plenty of outdoor opportunities, and for added adventure, Lake Tahoe, the coast and the mountains are easily accessible.
For culture vultures, the wineries and gold country historical sites of Placer County are a good place to start, and annual festivals such as the Cowpoke Fall
Gathering of Cowboy Poetry & Music keep things lively into the fall. Roseville opens its festival season with the Strawberry Festival in April, followed by Cinco de Mayo celebrations. If you think the coast is the only place to see, think again, about Roseville, California.
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