Demographics

2005 El Dorado County Economic and Demographic Profile Report

INTRODUCTION
The residents of El Dorado County have continued to exhibit the initiative and technological skills that have made the California workforce one of the most productive in the nation. The region’s quality of life continues to attract dynamic individuals who desire a balance between environmental amenities and economic prosperity. 

LOCATION
With its western border touching California’s Central Valley, and its eastern boundary meeting Nevada high in the Sierra Nevada mountains overlooking Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County stretches across 90 miles of foothills, valleys and mountain peaks. 

There are two incorporated cities. Placerville, the county seat, is located 44 miles east of the state capitol of Sacramento, and 146 miles northeast of San Francisco. South Lake Tahoe, 60 miles east of Placerville, is the hub of the world renowned Lake Tahoe recreation area. 

Two major highways, U.S. 50 and State Route 49, intersect the county while State Route 88 establishes the county's southern border with Amador and Alpine Counties.  Interstate 5 and Interstate 80 are within 25 minutes of El Dorado Hills. This central west coast location offers one day automobile access to a variety of cities, including San Francisco (2.5 hours), San Jose (3.0 hours), Los Angeles (8.0 hours), Portland (8.0 hours), and Reno (1.5 hours). 

POPULATION
Since the early 1980’s, El Dorado County has been included in the Sacramento Metropolitan Statistical area. Over 78% of the county residents live in unincorporated areas outside of city limits. Major residential communities (El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park and Shingle Springs) in the western part of the county serve as suburban areas to the booming Sacramento metropolitan region. The unique environment and high quality of life in El Dorado County provide the “get away” lifestyle desired by employees and leaders of the region’s new and expanding businesses. 

El Dorado County’s quality of life and proximity to Sacramento have resulted in rapid growth over the past 20 years. Total population nearly doubled between the 1970 and 1980 census years, then nearly doubled again by the 1990 census. Population growth of approximately 3.5% annually is projected into the 21st century. Median age for the county in 1980 was 31.4, in 1990, it was 35.3. The projected median age for the year 2001 is 38.1. 

Studies show that 78.2% of population increase since 1980 is due to the overall growth of the Sacramento region with the majority of the growth in El Dorado County occurring in the El Dorado Hills/Cameron Park area. As transportation services and housing opportunities increase, this trend is expected to continue.

ETHNICITY
The population of El Dorado County is predominantly caucasian, with 6.4% of the population representing minorities.

HOUSEHOLDS
The number of households in El Dorado County continues to grow in keeping with the overall population increase. Persons per household will decline slightly in keeping with state trends. Overall, the Greater Sacramento Area will outpace the state in the formation of new households and by 2005 will contain more than 5.3 percent of all households in the state.

INCOME
Personal income in El Dorado County is increasing at a rate faster than California as a whole. Furthermore, per capita income for El Dorado County residents increased 46.1 percent from 1990 to 1996. This rate of growth far exceeds the rate of inflation during the same period resulting in both increased earning and buying power within the county. Statewide comparison shows El Dorado County at 96.8 percent of the California per capita income level.

CRIME RATE
El Dorado County enjoys an exceptionally low crime rate in both crimes against property and persons. 

COST OF LIVING
Residents and businesses in El Dorado County and the Sacramento region enjoy a competitive purchasing advantage over their counterparts in the coastal areas of California. 

CLIMATE AND TERRAIN
The county contains 1,805 square miles, over half of which is in public ownership in the form of national forests and various parks and recreation areas. In 1996, this equated to approximately 4.5 acres of public open space for each county resident. In addition, there are a variety of privately owned timberlands, parks, campgrounds and recreational facilities that add to the feeling of freedom and open space for which the county is known. Elevations range from 200 feet at the western border in the Central Valley of California to 10,881 feet at the highest peak in the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Climate varies with the elevation - from warm, dry summers and mild winters in El Dorado Hills and Placerville to the cool summers and snowy winters that have made South Lake Tahoe a world class resort.