Living in Lathrop CA can be absolutely incredible! The Miwok and Yokuts peoples lived in the Lathrop area for thousands of years before Spanish settlers arrived in the 1500s. When was Lathrop CA founded? American settlers founded the town of Lathrop in 1868, after the transcontinental railroad was built.
Lathrop became a prominent railroad stop and grew rapidly during the 1870s, with thousands of people moving to Lathrop. The community was named Lathrop in 1869, after Jane Lathrop Stanford, one of the founders of Stanford University.
Lathrop remained a prominent railroad and industrial town into the mid-1900s. It slowed down during the 1950s and 1960s, but it rebounded as a shipping and manufacturing community. The state government incorporated it as a city in 1989. Lathrop is well-known for its booming population and top attractions.
Is Lathrop CA a good place to live? It’s a nice place to live, with affordable homes for sale, a small-town feel, and convenient access to outdoor activities.
Moving to Lathrop may seem like a perfect idea, but you shouldn’t pack your bags before you learn more about living in Lathrop CA. Here’s what to know about this great community in San Joaquin County.
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Where Is Lathrop California?
Where is Lathrop California, and what county is Lathrop CA in? Lathrop is in San Joaquin County, inside the Stockton metropolitan area. Lathrop is a suburb of Stockton, and it is 10.0 miles from Lathrop CA to Stockton CA. Surrounding cities to Lathrop include French Camp, Manteca, and Tracy.
Lathrop has compact and well-developed subdivisions and master planned communities toward its geographic center. The land around the subdivisions is less developed, consisting of sandy plains and flat fields. The San Joaquin River flows through the center of town, with river islands a short boat ride away. The Old River forms the western border of Lathrop, separating it from nearby cities. The community lies inside San Joaquin Valley and Central Valley.
The San Joaquin Regional Transit District serves all residents living in Lathrop CA. Route 90 and Route 97 run through Lathrop and connect it to Stockton, Tracy, and Manteca. Lathrop is a stop along the Altamont Corridor Express commuter rail, providing access to San Jose. Interstate 5 and State Route 120 are major highways that border Lathrop, providing access to San Francisco, San Jose, and other major cities in California, including cities near Sacramento. Many people use Interstate 5 for moving to Lathrop.
Lathrop Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the Lathrop population in 2023 was 39,857, up by 38.9% since 2020. According to CBS News, Lathrop is one of the fastest-growing cities in California. Between 2010 and 2023, the population more than doubled. The Lathrop population density in 2020 was 1,447.6 people living in Lathrop CA per square mile.
Notable people living in Lathrop CA, and surrounding cities include Ed Simmons, Jose Hernandez, and Richard Moore. Notable Lathrop demographics include:
- 50.2% male, 49.8% female
- Median age of residents living in Lathrop CA: 33.5
- Racial and ethnic composition of people living in Lathrop CA: 35.1% Hispanic or Latino, 32.6% Asian, 24.4% White (18.8% non-Hispanic), 7.3% Black or African American, 1.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
- Median household income of residents living in Lathrop CA: $108,732 (18.3% higher than the state median)
- Educational attainment of people living in Lathrop CA: 82.7% of residents living in Lathrop CA over the age of 25 have graduated high school, 23.8% of people living in Lathrop CA over 25 have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born percentage of people living in Lathrop CA: 31.0%
Lathrop is one of the most diverse cities in Northern California. Nearly 2,200 residents living in Lathrop CA were born in Mexico, while over 1,600 were born in the Philippines, and over 1,200 were born in India. Lathrop is a hub for the Filipino community in California, and it is a sister city to Bacarra in the Philippines. Many people of Filipino descent are moving to Lathrop.
Here are the latest crime rates in Lathrop:
- Overall crime rate: 4,115 offenses per 100,000 people living in Lathrop CA (8.0% higher than the Sacramento crime rate, 44.7% higher than the California crime rate, 77.1% higher than the national average)
- Property crime rate: 3,391 offenses per 100,000 people living in Lathrop CA (44.7% higher than the California rate, 73.5% higher than the national rate)
- Violent crime rate: 724 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Lathrop CA (44.8% higher than the California rate, 95.7% higher than the national average)
Is Lathrop CA safe? While Lathrop has high crime rates, there are many safe places to live in the community. The official Lathrop crime map reveals that the residential areas of Lathrop experience fewer crimes than the commercial areas in town.
The Lathrop crime rate is 3.4% lower than the Stockton crime rate. If you follow basic security measures like locking your doors at night and storing valuables out of sight while living in Lathrop CA, you can avoid crimes.
The Lathrop Police Department provides emergency services for all residents living in Lathrop CA. The department employs 35 sworn police officers.
Cost of Living in Lathrop
You can use Stockton cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Lathrop. The Stockton cost of living index is 118.7, meaning items in the area cost 18.7% more than the national average. The Stockton cost of living is nearly identical to the Sacramento cost of living.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the Stockton area would need to earn $113,608 a year to cover their cost of living. Lathrop can be an expensive place to live with high costs for housing and health care. However, there are ways to reduce your cost of living after moving to Lathrop.
You can apply for high-paying job opportunities while living in Lathrop CA, and you can rent affordable Lathrop real estate.
Lathrop has a diverse and active real estate market. According to Redfin, the median cost of Lathrop homes for sale is $654,851, with an average price per square foot of $342. According to RentCafe, the average cost of Lathrop apartments is $2,390 a month.
Typical Lathrop* Living Expenses
- 1 pound of apples: $2.82
- 1 pound of potatoes: $1.16
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $4.67
- Average Lathrop* utilities per month: $234.01
- 1 pair of jeans: $61.19
Source: Numbeo
*Expenses actually for Stockton
Lathrop Neighborhoods | Where to Live In Lathrop
Lathrop has a few master planned communities and subdivisions, not formal neighborhoods. However, you can still treat these communities as neighborhoods for Lathrop CA real estate purposes. They have a strong sense of community, great options for housing, and close proximity to other cities. Here’s what to know about the best places to live in Lathrop.
River Islands | Friendly Community in Lathrop With Diverse Real Estate
The most prominent master planned community is River Islands, which has its own set of neighborhoods, organized by home builders. You can move into homes made by Kiper Homes, Tri Pointe Homes, and Del Webb. Prices in River Islands vary significantly, as builders charge different rates.
Some three-bedroom homes covering 1,500 square feet cost less than $500,000, while four-bedroom homes covering 2,700 square feet can cost over $900,000. River Islands encourages an active lifestyle. The community has its own private baseball stadium, dog parks, and a community boathouse.
Stanford Crossing Lathrop | Modern and Eco-Friendly Homes for Sale in Lathrop
Stanford Crossing Lathrop is another prominent master planned community with its own set of neighborhoods. Home builders in Stanford Crossing Lathrop include KB Homes, Richmond American Homes, and Tri Pointe Homes. Stanford Crossing Lathrop is well-known for its environmentally friendly homes with smart thermostats, air filters, and water-saving technology.
You have a wide range of housing options, including small two-bedroom homes and sprawling five-bedroom homes. All properties are recently built, so you can enjoy modern amenities like open floor plans, covered patios, and walk-in closets.
Lathrop Weather and Climate
Lathrop has a hot summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers and cool but mild winters. Temperatures can vary significantly in Lathrop, especially in the summer. July is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 76. However, the average high in July is 94 degrees, and the average low is 61 degrees, a difference of 33 degrees.
Temperatures start to decline significantly in mid-September. January and December are the coldest months of the year, with an average temperature of 46 degrees and an average low of 40. Freezing temperatures are uncommon in Lathrop weather patterns.
Summers are very sunny, with nearly 90% of days in the summer being clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy. Winters are cloudier, but roughly half of the days are sunny. Lathrop receives an average of 15.8 inches of rain every year, with no snowfall. Despite the rain, there is very little humidity in Lathrop, so you can enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year.
You can experience earthquakes and extreme heat while living in Lathrop CA. Lathrop experiences many low-intensity earthquakes throughout the year. The Lathrop government recommends you follow earthquake safety tips from Ready.gov. You can follow Lathrop weather year-round news after moving to Lathrop by visiting The Weather Channel.
August is the best time to visit and start moving to Lathrop. August is one of the sunniest and warmest months of the year, and you can visit all outdoor attractions in Lathrop. The warm temperatures mean you can wear a short-sleeved shirt and shorts and remain comfortable.
Things to Do in Lathrop
Lathrop may be a small city, but it has some of the best outdoor things to do in and around the Bay Area! You can also visit some great stores, including Save Mart, Ashley Store + Outlet, and Target, while living in Lathrop CA.
Dell’Osso Family Farm
Dell’Osso Family Farm is the most famous attraction in Lathrop. It’s open on select days between May and October and offers fruit picking, children’s rides, pumpkin mazes, and other unique attractions. You can buy fresh produce and pastries from an on-site country store and food court.
501 South Manthey Road, Lathrop, CA, 95330, 209-982-0833
Dos Reis Regional Park
Dos Reis Regional Park is the top point of interest for RV enthusiasts and tent campers. You can camp in your RV at 26 different sites and enjoy access to the San Joaquin River, making Dos Reis an attractive option for boaters and swimmers.
890 Dos Reis Road, Lathrop, CA, 95330, 209-953-8800
Manuel Valverde Park
Manuel Valverde Park contains a baseball diamond, basketball courts, and a play structure with a splash pad for little children. It’s a top destination for picnics, with plenty of picnic tables and open spaces to set up blankets.
15557 5th Street, Lathrop, CA, 95330, 209-941-7370
Additional Things to Do in Lathrop
Ask someone living in Lathrop CA about what to do in Lathrop, and they’ll tell you to attend public events. The Lathrop Parks and Recreation Department oversees public areas in Lathrop and plans special events throughout the year. You can see these special events by visiting the Lathrop events calendar.
Lathrop Restaurants
The Northern California area has a diverse restaurant scene, with influences from Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and other locations around the world. You can try out a wide range of dishes and Lathrop restaurants while living in Lathrop CA.
Mikasa
Mikasa is a casual Japanese bistro that offers sushi, teriyaki dishes, and other Japanese and Asian classics. You can order specials with entrees, salads, and rice for less than $20.
15138 South Harlan Road, Lathrop, CA, 95330, 209-858-1818
Lathrop Food Plaza
Lathrop Food Plaza is a unique food court, with dozens of food trucks and carts offering Mexican, Asian, Italian, and other foods from around the world. Food trucks cycle in and out, so each visit to the plaza is unique, and options are affordable so you can sample from different carts. Vendors in the food plaza include Bella Hibachi.
16201 South Harlan Road, Lathrop, CA, 95330, 209-712-4696
Dhaba Express
Dhaba Express is the top Indian restaurant in Lathrop. You can order a range of vegetarian dishes as well as chicken curry, butter chicken, and goat curry for less than $20.
116 Roth Road, Lathrop, CA, 95330, 209-323-2388
Lathrop Jobs
Over 12,800 people have Lathrop jobs. Between 2021 and 2022, the community added over 1,000 jobs to its economy. Job opportunities are available in a number of top industries. The top three sectors by jobs in Lathrop CA are manufacturing, retail trade, and transportation and warehousing. Each of these sectors contributes at least 1,500 jobs to the economy.
Top employers in Lathrop include UPS, Tesla, and Home Depot. According to Payscale, the average salary in Lathrop is $98,000 a year, with an average hourly rate of $21.51. You can find additional jobs in Lathrop CA using Indeed, and you can apply for City of Lathrop jobs on the city government’s website.
Lathrop Schools
Manteca Unified School District is the main Lathrop school district, serving nearly all students living in Lathrop CA. Lathrop has three K-8 schools: Lathrop Elementary School, Joseph Widmer School, and Mossdale Elementary. Lathrop has only one high school, Lathrop High School. 61% of students at Lathrop High School test at or above the proficiency level in reading, 11 percentage points higher than the state average.
River Islands also has three charter K-8 schools: River Islands Technology Academy, EPIC Academy, and STEAM Academy. All three schools are science-focused, giving students living in Lathrop CA a technical education they can take into the workforce. The community also has a charter high school, River Islands High School.
There are no private schools or colleges in Lathrop. The Lathrop Library is a branch of the San Joaquin County Library System and serves all residents living in Lathrop CA.
Lathrop Statistics and Information
- County: San Joaquin County
- Lathrop area: 21.01 square miles
- Lathrop zip code: 95330
- Lathrop area code: 209
- Lathrop elevation: 23 feet
- Lathrop time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -7 and -8)
- Closest airport to Lathrop: Oakland International Airport (OAK), 56.8 miles from Lathrop
Lathrop California Map
You can use this Lathrop California map to find great housing opportunities, businesses, things to do in Lathrop, and restaurants in Lathrop CA.
Start Living in Lathrop CA
Living in Lathrop CA is perfect for retirees, families, and aspiring homebuyers alike! You can enjoy life in a welcoming community with great infrastructure and friendly neighbors.
You can start moving to Lathrop in no time. Mother Lode Van and Storage has a team of the best Lathrop movers, with 60 years of experience in the moving industry. Call 916-631-4285 for a free estimate now.
