Located in Sacramento County, California about 24 miles northeast of Sacramento, Folsom is known for Folsom Prison and Johnny Cash’s famous hit, “Folsom Prison Blues.” The motto of the city, “Distinctive by Nature,” definitely holds true: the affluent community sits on Folsom Lake and Sacramento River and boasts beautiful bridges, amazing scenery, the historic Sutter Street, and the country’s last 12-inch gauge railway. It’s actually also one of the safest places to raise a family with plenty to see and do year-round.
Considering moving to Folsom, CA? Get ready for fun and busy days surrounded by breathtaking nature and finding out why Folsom is ranked as one of the country’s best small-town cities! Here’s a complete guide to moving to and living in Folsom, California to help you decide if Folsom is the right city for you.
Folsom Population & Demographics
Curious about the people living in Folsom, CA? Folsom is a mid-sized city with a population of 76,000 and it falls within the 916 and 279 area codes. The city in zip codes 95630, 95671, and 95763 and it’s part of the Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville metro area which has a combined population of 2.5 million. About 16% of people living in Folsom were born outside of the country. The median age in Folsom is 40, quite higher than the U.S. average.
Folsom is very diverse like many cities in California. The ethnic and racial composition of Folsom is 63% white, 16% Asian, 11% Hispanic, 4% black or African-American, and 5% two or more races.
Folsom Climate & What to Expect
Ready to say goodbye to snow? Folsom enjoys the typical California climate with dry, hot, and long summers plus rainy and cool winters. About 267 days are sunny every year! Folsom weather is at its finest in May, June, and October but even in January, the average low is still 40 degrees. In July, brace yourself for temps in the mid-90s.
The good news is there are always ways to cool off during the hot summer months like the Folsom Aquatic Center with pools and slides or Lake Natoma where you can go paddling and enjoy the cool breeze off the lake.
Cost of Living in Folsom, CA – Is Folsom Expensive?
As you consider moving to Folsom, you’re probably curious about the Folsom cost of living. Is Folsom affordable? Like many California cities, Folsom has a higher-than-average cost of living.
While utilities are lower than average in Folsom, groceries, housing, and transportation are much higher than average for the U.S. Housing is the biggest factor influencing the high cost of living in Folsom and it’s about 120% higher than the national average.
The median home price in Folsom is $540,000 with an average sales price of $294 per square foot. The U.S. median home price, by comparison, is $227,000. It’s also right in line for the California average as it’s the third-most expensive state to buy a home. You can explore Folsom, CA homes for sale to get an idea of what your budget will get you.
Planning to rent while living in Folsom? The average rent in Folsom is $1,868 for a 962-square-foot apartment. Only about 28% of households in Folsom are renters. It costs more to rent in Folsom than Sacramento but it’s still a steal compared to Los Angeles!
Top Neighborhoods in Folsom, CA
Looking for a sprawling estate on the water, an established family-friendly neighborhood in Folsom, or a master planned community? Folsom has it all! There are tons of great Folsom neighborhoods to explore as you decide if living in Folsom is the right choice for you.
One of the most popular communities in Folsom is Empire Ranch, a large master-planned community surrounding a scenic 18-hole golf course. You’ll find a mix of custom and luxury homes and upscale condos with homes priced in the $500s to $800s.
The Parkway is the perfect choice if you want a close-knit community where you can get to know your neighbors. The community has 240 acres of open green space, nature trails, parks, and a well-run HOA.
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Interested in being close to the lake? You’ll love living in Folsom’s Briggs Ranch, one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Folsom. This older community has homes built in the 1980s and 1990s and you’ll be within walking distance of Lake Folsom and BT Collins Park.
Economy & Jobs in Folsom
Folsom’s economy is dominated by two things: Intel and Folsom Prison. Combined, the prison and Intel Corporation employ about one-quarter of Folsom’s population. Healthcare also plays a big role in Folsom with top employers like Kaiser Permanente and Mercy Hospital. The median household income in Folsom is $106,000.
You can start your search for jobs in Folsom, CA online to get an idea of the employment opportunities available. Keep in mind you may also choose to commute to Sacramento like many Folsom residents. Here’s what your 23-mile commute from Folsom to Sacramento would look like.
Folsom, CA Schools
Curious about the quality of the Folsom school district and higher education opportunities? That’s definitely a big concern if you’re moving to Folsom with kids or planning to start a family! The city is served by the Folsom Cordova Unified School District with four middle schools and three high schools. Folsom boasts a top-rated school district with many above-average schools like Riverview Stem Elementary which performs far above the state average.
Folsom Lake College, a community college that’s part of the Los Rios Community College District, is located within the city limits. Comfortable with a longer drive? Other area schools include Sierra College and California State University Sacramento.
Best Folsom Restaurants & Things to Do in Folsom, CA
Ready to explore the fun things to do in Folsom with kids, on a date, or with the whole family? Folsom is known for its stunning outdoor recreation destinations as well as convenient shopping such as Home Depot, Whole Foods Market, Best Buy, Costco, Target, and Folsom Fair Shopping Center. Here are some of the top Folsom attractions you’ll love.
Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary
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Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary is more of a sanctuary than a zoo with about 100 animals including eagles, wolf hybrids, mountain lions, and ravens. Kids love this fun and educational Folsom attraction!
Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, 403 Stafford St, Folsom, CA 95630 (916) 351-3527
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Folsom Lake is Folsom’s crown jewel. Living in Folsom, you’ll enjoy picnics, fishing, hiking, camping, boating, sightseeing, and horseback riding year-round!
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, 7755 Folsom-Auburn Rd, Folsom, CA 95630 (916) 988-0205
Visconti’s Ristorante
Visconti’s has been one of the best Folsom restaurants since it opened in 1992! This award-winning, family-owned Italian restaurant serves up everything from gnocchi and veal to homemade pizza and shellfish.
Visconti’s Ristorante, 2700 E Bidwell St #700, Folsom, CA 95630 (916) 983-5181
Land Ocean (LO) Restaurant Folsom
Looking for the best things to do in Folsom on a date? Nothing beats Land Ocean Restaurants, a casual yet upscale steakhouse with an amazing selection of seafood, steak, and cocktails.
Land Ocean (LO) Restaurant Folsom, 2720 E Bidwell St, Folsom, CA 95630 (916) 983-7000
Living in Folsom Tips
- Beat the summer heat at Lake Folsom and the aquatic center
- Choose from dozens of great neighborhoods including luxury golf course communities and master-planned communities
- Find employment opportunities in Folsom or nearby Sacramento
- Enjoy one of the region’s top-rated school districts
Excited about your future after moving to Folsom, California? After settling on a great neighborhood, call the reliable Folsom movers at Mother Lode Van & Storage for a free moving quote!
