The beautiful census-designated place known as Fair Oaks, CA is located about 15 miles northeast of downtown Sacramento. Fair Oaks is bordered by Citrus Heights, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Carmichael, Gold River, Orangevale, and Roseville.
Looking at the history of Fair Oaks, it started as a small portion of the 1844 Rancho San Juan Mexican land grant and was later acquired by Howard-Wilson Publishing Company of Chicago. General Charles Henry Howard and James W. Wilson decided to develop it as a housing community and named it Fair Oaks. The area grew significantly after the construction of Highway 50 in 1954 as it made commuting to Sacramento much easier.
Howard and Wilson gave Fair Oaks the nickname “Crown of the Sacramento Valley” due to its location and comfortable setting.
Fair Oaks is known for being a popular suburb and a bedroom community of greater Sacramento.
Notable people from Fair Oaks include author Nicholas Sparks, singer Lynn Anderson, movie director Joe Carnahan, and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
1. People Living in Fair Oaks, CA – Population & Demographics
How many people live in Fair Oaks? There has been minimal growth over recent years with only about 1,000 new residents moving to Fair Oaks since 2010. The current Fair Oaks population is 31,032 with a median age of 46 years old.
Fair Oaks demographics consist of about 74% Caucasian, 12% Hispanic or Latino, 5% Asian, and 3% Black or African American. The gender ratio in Fair Oaks leans on the side of women with about 52% female and 48% male. The median household income in Fair Oaks is $84,717.
The area that makes up Fair Oaks covers 10.9 square miles near the northeastern part of Sacramento County. The zip code in Fair Oaks is 95628 and the local area code is 916.
Is Fair Oaks a safe place to live? The crime rate in Fair Oaks is about 4% higher than the national average, while the violent crime rate is about 9% higher. People residing in Fair Oaks have a 1 in 39 chance of being a victim of crime on average. There are safe places to live in the community but it’s important to do your research on the local area before relocating to Fair Oaks.
2. Cost of Living in Fair Oaks, CA
How much does it cost to live in Fair Oaks, CA? The average cost of living in Fair Oaks is 36% higher than the national average but 14% lower than the California state average. The Fair Oaks real estate market, home utilities, and local transportation are all less expensive than the average CA numbers. On the other hand, higher expenses can be expected for groceries and healthcare.
The homeownership rate in Fair Oaks is 68.2% of the people living there. Fair Oaks, CA homes for sale only stay on the highly competitive market for an average of 7 days before being sold. The average price of a home in Fair Oaks is $597,000.
The Fair Oaks property tax rate is 0.810%, a percentage that adds up to about $4,836 per year for a home that costs $597,000.
Less than 32% of residents living in Fair Oaks rent homes, apartments, or condos. The average price of rent in Fair Oaks is $1,564 per month, an 8% increase since last year.
3. Fair Oaks Neighborhoods
Where should you live in Fair Oaks? A handful of the top Fair Oaks neighborhoods are:
- Fair Oaks Village – Great place to live if you want a unique, historic home with a craftsman style.
- Mills Ranch
- Phoenix Field – Newer homes in Fair Oaks with easy access to local parks.
- Winding Oaks
- Rollingwood – Brick homes, scenic views, and a tranquil neighborhood for families.
- Deerwood Park
- Northridge Country Club – Nice place for golfers with a quiet, laid-back lifestyle.
- Rockbridge Creek
4. Fair Oaks, CA Weather
With similar weather to Sacramento, the climate in Fair Oaks is Mediterranean with warm, mild summer seasons and chilly, wet winters. Fair Oaks weather brings about 21 inches of rain per year.
The average temperature in Fair Oaks is between the low 60s and mid-90s in summer and ranges between the upper 30s to the mid-50s during wintertime.
5. Things to Do in Fair Oaks
There is a wide selection of can’t miss things to do in Fair Oaks including outdoor activities and fun points of interest as well as local parks and landmarks.
People living in town enjoy plenty of convenient shopping in Fair Oaks including Smart & Final, Walgreens, Target, Walmart, Dollar Tree, Fair Oaks Promenade, Kohl’s, Staples, Safeway, Raley’s, and the Quail Pointe Shopping Center.
Fair Oaks Park
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As the most highly-rated place to visit in Fair Oaks, the local park is one of the best spots for people to hang out and enjoy the nice weather. Fair Oaks Park features multiple shaded picnic areas along with sports facilities, a children’s playground, and a skate park.
Fair Oaks Park, 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 (916) 966-1036
Bannister Park
If you’re searching for enjoyable things to do in Fair Oaks, then Bannister Park offers a great spread of activities. The open space has a kid’s play area and also plenty of hiking trails for running, biking, or walking with your pet.
Bannister Park, 3820 Bannister Rd, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 (916) 966-1036
Additional Fair Oaks Attractions
- Village Park, 4238 Main St, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
- Phoenix Park, 9050 Sunset Ave, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
- Fair Oaks Bridge, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
Map of Fair Oaks CA
Explore more of Fair Oaks with this map.
6. Fair Oaks Restaurants
At local restaurants in Fair Oaks, people can experience everything from upscale dining to small, mom-and-pop eateries.
Mikuni
One of Fair Oak’s top places to eat is Mikuni, which is rated among the best sushi spots in town. The Japanese chain restaurant boasts a fantastic menu that includes sushi rolls, tempura, family platters, and even gluten-free options.
Mikuni | Fair Oaks, 4323 Hazel Ave, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 (916) 961-2112
Carmelita’s Méxican Restaurant
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Carmelita’s is rated with the best Fair Oaks restaurants and offers mouthwatering Mexican cuisine on their menu. Whether you’re in the mood for nachos, burritos, tacos, or taco salad, this popular place to eat in Fair Oaks has something for everyone.
Carmelita’s Méxican Restaurant, 4071 Howard St, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 (916) 961-3327
7. Jobs in Fair Oaks
The average salary in Fair Oaks is $67,000 per year. There is a 9.3% state income tax rate in Fair Oaks. The current Fair Oaks unemployment rate is 7.4%.
Anyone interested in local Fair Oaks jobs will quickly find the area is home to a handful of reputable businesses. Some of the best places to work in Fair Oaks include:
- Lyon Real Estate
- Sacramento County Department of Personnel Services
- Stanton Optical
- Labor Finders International
- SpeeDee Worldwide
As a bedroom community, many residents commute for work from Fair Oaks to Sacramento. The trip takes people living in Fair Oaks across the Fair Oaks Bridge and covers about 15 miles, taking as little as 30 minutes each way.
Additional jobs in Fair Oaks can be found on Indeed and other dependable listing sites.
8. Fair Oaks Schools
Adding up to about 21% of the town’s population, there are 6,516 kids between the ages of 0 and 18 years old living in Fair Oaks. Parents and children alike feel that Fair Oaks is an excellent place for families to live.
The top Fair Oaks schools are part of the nearby San Juan Unified School District and include campuses such as:
- Earl Legette Elementary School
- Harry Dewey Fundamental Elementary School
- Orangevale Open K-8 School
- Bella Vista High School
- Del Campo High School
The closest colleges and universities to people living in Fair Oaks are William Jessup University and the well-known California State University–Sacramento campus.
Living in Fair Oaks Pros & Cons
- Pro: The cost of living in Fair Oaks is lower than the CA average prices.
- Pro: Fair Oaks is a great place for everyone from families to singles and seniors.
- Con: The crime rate in Fair Oaks is slightly higher than average, making it important to check your neighborhood first.
Moving to Fair Oaks, CA
Are these enough reasons to move to Fair Oaks? Once you’ve made the decision that this nice town is what you’re looking for, trust our top Fair Oaks movers to help you make the transition happen. Reach out to Mother Lode Moving by giving us a call at (916) 631-4285 or take a moment to fill out the Request a Quote form on this page for a free moving estimate!
