Living in French Camp CA makes a lot of sense! According to Wikipedia, the Yokuts and Miwok peoples lived in the French Camp for thousands of years before French settlers from the Hudson’s Bay Company arrived in 1832. The community gets its name from being a camp for French settlers and fur traders. They established a campsite and fur trading post, forming the oldest White settlement in San Joaquin County.
People began moving to French Camp to trade furs and mine gold during the California Gold Rush, and the population swelled significantly. During World War II, Japanese Americans living in French Camp CA were forcibly relocated to concentration camps in surrounding cities, with some French Camp residents never returning.
French Camp today is a census-designated place, meaning it is an unincorporated community that receives some services from San Joaquin County. It is a nice place to live, with a family-friendly, sparse suburban atmosphere and family-friendly things to do. It’s best known for its fur trading and California Gold Rush history.
French Camp offers residents a lot, and moving to French Camp can give you a great small community to raise a family in. But before you start your moving process, you should learn more about what living in French Camp CA is like. Here’s what to know about living in French Camp CA.
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Where Is French Camp?
Where is French Camp, and what county is French Camp CA in? French Camp is in San Joaquin County, inside the Stockton metropolitan area. It is 5.4 miles from French Camp to Stockton, and French Camp borders Stockton to the southwest. French Camp also borders Taft Mosswood and Lathrop. French Camp is a suburb of Stockton.
French Camp is mostly undeveloped, with large portions of the community being farmland. There are small residential sections scattered throughout the community, and the center of the community contains some county offices, including the county jail and the county children’s shelter. There are no notable geographic features in French Camp, like bodies of water or mountains.
The San Joaquin Regional Transit District provides fixed-service bus routes. Route 90 stops in French Camp and connects it to Stockton, Lathrop, and Tracy. Other routes run near but not in French Camp, and you can use the San Joaquin RTD system map to find where these routes and stops are. Most people living in French Camp CA or moving to French Camp, drive on Interstate 5, which runs through French Camp and connects it to Lathrop.
French Camp Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the French Camp population in 2020 was 3,770, up by 11.7% since 2010. The population experienced a 17.8% decline between 2000 and 2010, so French Camp is one of the smallest communities in San Joaquin County. It’s smaller than all incorporated communities in the county and most unincorporated communities, and it’s growing at a slower rate than the county.
The French Camp population density is 1,218.5 people living in French Camp CA per square mile. Notable residents of French Camp include Phil Spector, Jose M. Hernandez, and Scott Brooks. Notable French Camp demographics include:
- 75.3% male, 24.7% female
- Median age of residents living in French Camp CA: 34.7
- Racial and ethnic composition of people living in French Camp CA: 62.5% Hispanic or Latino, 27.4% White (20.0% non-Hispanic), 10.8% Black or African American, 6.5% two or more races, 5.5% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
- Median household income of residents living in French Camp CA: $93,523 (roughly 3% lower than the California median)
- Educational attainment of people living in French Camp CA: 63.1% of residents older than 25 have graduated from high school, 2.2% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population of residents living in French Camp CA: 29.8%
76.3% of residents living in French Camp CA are between the ages of 18 and 64, nearly 15 percentage points higher than the California rate. 23.0% of residents are between the ages of 30 and 39. French Camp is very popular among couples and families with children. The average household size is 3.3 people living in French Camp CA per household, and married couples head 78.4% of households.
French Camp is a safe community to live in. Here are its latest crime rates:
- Overall crime rate: 1,876 offenses per 100,000 people living in French Camp CA (56.0% lower than the Stockton crime rate, 33.8% lower than the state rate, 17.8% lower than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 336 crimes per 100,000 people living in French Camp CA (33.9% lower than the California rate, 7.7% lower than the national average)
- Property crime rate: 1,540 offenses per 100,000 residents living in French Camp CA (33.8% lower than the California average, 19.7% lower than the national average)
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office has its headquarters in French Camp. The office employs over 800 personnel, including 138 deputies in its patrol division.
Cost of Living in French Camp CA
French Camp cost of living statistics are hard to find online, so you can use Stockton cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in French Camp CA. The Stockton cost of living index is 118.7, meaning items in the Stockton area cost 18.7% more than the national average.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $109,819 a year to cover their cost of living in the Stockton area. Housing costs are the highest expenses, costing $19,284 a year. Living in French Camp CA can be expensive, though you can apply for high-paying jobs in French Camp to cover your expenses.
The French Camp CA real estate market is relatively small, so it can be hard to find homes in French Camp at affordable prices. According to Redfin, the median cost of homes for sale in French Camp CA is $515,000, with an average price per square foot of $337. According to RentCafe, average costs for French Camp apartments are not available, as there are very few French Camp apartments.
Typical French Camp* Living Expenses
- 1 pound of white rice: $1.46
- 12 regular eggs: $5.40
- 1 pound of potatoes: $0.77
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $4.66
- Average French Camp* utilities per month: $258.33
- 1 pair of jeans: $56.50
Source: Numbeo
*Typical expenses actually for Stockton
French Camp Neighborhoods | Where to Live in French Camp
French Camp does not have any formal neighborhoods. The real estate market is very small; only two homes for sale in French Camp CA were sold in July 2025. The market consists of single-family homes for sale and empty plots you can develop into farmland. There is no popular type of single-family home in French Camp, though homes tend to be spacious. Three- and four-bedroom homes for sale in French Camp CA are available, with over 1,000 square feet of space and amenities like laminate flooring and new cabinets. Property taxes tend to be low.
Homes for rent and apartments occasionally come on the market. Homes for rent in French Camp are similar to homes for sale, containing three bedrooms and over 1,000 square feet of space. They’re suitable for small families or couples who need some extra space. You can find homes for rent in French Camp for less than $2,000 a month.
French Camp Weather and Climate
French Camp has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, with hot and sunny summers and cold and rainy winters. According to Weather Spark, July is the hottest month of French Camp weather, with an average temperature of 76 degrees and an average high of 93 degrees. Temperatures remain warm between early June and late September, before declining through the autumn. December is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 46 degrees and an average low of 39 degrees. Freezing temperatures can occur, but are uncommon.
French Camp receives 15.8 inches of rain per year on average. Winters are cloudy, with over 50% of days being overcast and mostly cloudy. Summers are very sunny, with 91% of days in August being clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy. The clear French Camp weather means there is very little humidity in the summertime, so conditions are comfortable. French Camp can experience heat waves and wildfires during the summer, but extreme weather is rare.
August is the best month to visit and start moving to French Camp. You can enjoy warm temperatures and sunshine while wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts. Zero inches of precipitation fall on average in August, so you won’t need an umbrella or a raincoat.
Things to Do in French Camp California
You can enjoy many things to do in French Camp California, including great and affordable stores! Golden City Market is the top grocery store in French Camp, offering fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also go shopping at Corner Market and Camping World.
The River Mill
The River Mill is the top events venue and outdoor destination in French Camp. It’s available for weddings, social events, business events, and conferences. The River Mill contains a historic chicory mill as well as lush and well-manicured gardens and an on-site kitchen capable of catering your special event.
1672 West Bowman Road, French Camp, CA, 95231, 209-983-9114
Dos Reis Regional Park
Dos Reis Regional Park is one of the largest parks in the French Camp area. The park contains an RV campground with 22 RV hookups, and it’s a dog-friendly park with walking trails by the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers.
890 Dos Reis Road, Lathrop, CA, 95330, 209-953-8800
Apolinar Sangalang Park
Apolinar Sangalang Park is a kid-friendly park with amenities you can’t find in other French Camp outdoor destinations. The park has a multipurpose field, a baseball diamond, and a play structure for young children living in French Camp CA.
13470 State Street, Lathrop, CA, 95330
Additional Things to Do in French Camp California
San Joaquin County Parks takes care of all public spaces in and around French Camp. San Joaquin County Parks also plans special events throughout the year, like stargazing sessions and guided tours of a lot of parks, with most residents living in French Camp CA attending at least one event. You can use the San Joaquin County Parks events calendar to see when these events will occur after moving to French Camp.
Restaurants in French Camp CA
The Stockton area is well known for its diverse restaurants, with Asian, Mexican, and other cuisines available at affordable prices. You can enjoy delicious, diverse, and affordable experiences at many restaurants in French Camp CA while living in French Camp CA.
J & L Market Deli
J & L Market Deli is a quick-service Mexican restaurant. You can order burritos, tamales, burgers, and hot dogs for less than $10. J & L Market Deli also offers breakfast, including pancakes and omelets.
8125 South El Dorado Street, French Camp, CA, 95231, 209-983-1074
La Favorita
La Favorita is a kid-friendly and casual Mexican restaurant. You can enjoy fajitas, burgers, salads, and other classic Mexican dishes for less than $20.
8125 South El Dorado Street, French Camp, CA, 95231, 209-983-1074
Cultural Foodz
Cultural Foodz is an Indian quick-service restaurant that serves unique Indian and Southeast Asian dishes. You can try paneer tikki noodle burgers, tandoori chicken wings, and fish pakora from the Cultural Food Truck.
8490 South El Dorado Street, French Camp, CA, 95231, 209-414-0952
Jobs in French Camp CA
According to DataUSA, 989 people had jobs in French Camp CA in 2023, up by 13.8% since 2013. Agriculture is the largest employment sector in French Camp, with 35.2% of French Camp jobs. Manufacturing and transportation are the second and third-largest job sectors, and each of the three largest sectors for French Camp jobs has median earnings of at least $30,000 a year. 18.4% of residents living in French Camp CA work in farming, fishing, and forestry occupations.
According to Payscale, the average salary in French Camp is $65,000 a year, with an average hourly rate of $20.57. Top employers in French Camp include San Joaquin General Hospital, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, and Ryder. You can apply for jobs in French Camp CA using Indeed, and you can apply for San Joaquin County jobs on the county government’s website.
French Camp Schools
Manteca Unified School District serves all students living in French Camp CA. French Camp Elementary School is a K-8 school based in French Camp. 26 full-time teachers work at the school and provide support to your child. French Camp Elementary School students then attend Lathrop High School, where 60% of students test at or above the proficiency level in reading.
French Camp is not home to any private schools, colleges, or universities. The Weston Ranch Library is the closest library to French Camp and serves all residents living in French Camp CA.
French Camp Statistics and Information
- County: San Joaquin County
- French Camp area: 3.1 square miles
- French Camp zip code: 95231
- French Camp area code: 209
- French Camp elevation: 20 feet
- French Camp time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -7 and -8)
- Closest airport to French Camp: Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK), 2.8 miles from French Camp
French Camp Map
You can use this French Camp map to find quiet places to visit your neighbors, schools in French Camp, and nearby cities and towns!
Start Moving to French Camp Now
Living in French Camp CA can improve your life significantly! You can move to a quiet community with a good economy, a friendly and hard-working population, and quaint parks. Families with young children will love French Camp for its great education opportunities and safe streets.
Moving to French Camp isn’t tricky. Mother Lode Moving has a team of the best French Camp movers, with 65 years of experience in the moving industry. Call 916-631-4285 for a free estimate now.
