Fair Oaks is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sacramento County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramentoâ€"Arden-Arcadeâ€"Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 30,912 at the 2010 census, up from 28,008 at the 2000 census. The Fair Oaks zip code is 95628 and its area code is 916. Fair Oaks is bounded on the south side by the American River, and Rancho Cordova, on the north side by the city of Citrus Heights, on the west side by Carmichael, and the east side by Orangevale. Fair Oaks is known for its mix of suburban and semi-rural neighborhoods.
Geography
Fair Oaks is located at 38°39′5″N 121°15′33″W (38.651254, -121.259279), between Sacramento and Folsom.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 11.2 square miles (29Â km2), of which, 10.8 square miles (28Â km2) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3Â km2) of it (4.02%) is water.
Town center
The town center of Fair Oaks is called Old Fair Oaks Village, which is located approximately a half-mile away from the American River Parkway. The Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre is located in this part of town. Events that take place here include the Fair Oaks Theater Festival, the Fair Oaks Fiesta and Car Show, and the annual Fair Oaks Chicken Festival each September.
The town center also houses the Fair Oaks History Center, which contains the history of the founding and development of Fair Oaks including displays featuring pictures and artifacts dating from the early 1900s, as well as a small collection of early Maidu Indian artifacts.
Demographics
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Fair Oaks had a population of 30,912. The population density was 2,748.8 people per square mile (1,061.3/km²). The racial makeup of Fair Oaks was 26,479 (85.7%) White, 729 (2.4%) African American, 255 (0.8%) Native American, 1,289 (4.2%) Asian, 57 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 738 (2.4%) from other races, and 1,365 (4.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2,954 persons (9.6%).
The Census reported that 30,482 people (98.6% of the population) lived in households, 261 (0.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 169 (0.5%) were institutionalized.
There were 12,838 households, out of which 3,469 (27.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 6,655 (51.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,298 (10.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 611 (4.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 761 (5.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 109 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 3,304 households (25.7%) were made up of individuals and 1,304 (10.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37. There were 8,564 families (66.7% of all households); the average family size was 2.84.
The population was spread out with 6,050 people (19.6%) under the age of 18, 2,380 people (7.7%) aged 18 to 24, 6,677 people (21.6%) aged 25 to 44, 10,078 people (32.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 5,727 people (18.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.8 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
There were 13,558 housing units at an average density of 1,205.6 per square mile (465.5/km²), of which 8,605 (67.0%) were owner-occupied, and 4,233 (33.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%. 21,038 people (68.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 9,444 people (30.6%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 28,008 people, 11,203 households, and 7,842 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,832.7 people per square mile (1,093.4/km²). There were 11,461 housing units at an average density of 1,159.2 per square mile (447.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.04% White, 1.84% African American, 0.59% Native American, 4.22% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 1.78% from other races, and 3.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.31% of the population.
There were 11,203 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the CDP, the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $63,252, and the median income for a family was $74,864, these figures had risen to $72,636 and $88,630 respectively as of a 2007 estimate. Males had a median income of $52,365 versus $39,138 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $31,874. About 4.6% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.
History
19th century
The community began as part of the 1844 Rancho San Juan Mexican land grant. In 1895, Brevet Brigadier General Charles Henry Howard and James W. Wilson of the Howard-Wilson Publishing Company of Chicago acquired rights to present Fair Oaks community, then primarily covered by citrus farms, from California Senator Frederick K. Cox and businessman Crawford W. Clarke. The Howard-Wilson company surveyed and mapped the land and began to promote Fair Oaks as one of their “Sunset Colonies.†The Howard-Wilson company advertised Fair Oaks as an innovative and growing citrus colony after destructive freezes in Southern California and Florida and a national depression hitting in 1893. Many of the purchasers were professionals and other friends of the investors and the Fair Oaks community was initially composed primarily of businessmen and other professionals, including bankers and engineers.
A club of businessmen in Chicago and Sacramento who had an investment (land or fruit) in the newborn colony and Orangevale formed the Chicago-Fair Oaks Club in 1899. Then a group of local businessmen, including Valentine S. McClatchy (the co-owner of the Sacramento Bee), incorporated the Fair Oaks Development Company in 1900. The boosters proclaimed Fair Oaks to be the “crown of the [Sacramento] valley,†in the “heart of California.â€
Together these groups were able to succeed in constructing an efficient water supply. They convinced the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, which McClatchy’s business partners from Orangevale created and chaired, to build a bridge across the American River at Fair Oaks in 1901. At the same time, the community leaders were also able to persuade the Southern Pacific Rail Road Company to build a railroad line to the bridge.
20th century and growth
Fair Oaks grew rapidly with the completion of the Fair Oaks Bridge and the railroad line. The Fair Oaks Fruit Company incorporated in 1902 and built a warehouse in Fair Oaks to export not only citrus, but also almonds and olives. Also, in 1902, Dr. R. N. Bramhall became the first medical doctor to reside and set up office in Fair Oaks. The agricultural productivity attracted the development of other community services. Fair Oaks had become a typical small town by 1906 with a post office, hotel, blacksmith shop, lumber yard, pharmacy, bank, cemetery, newspaper, and a number of small dry-goods and grocery stores located along Main Street.
Two churches (Methodist and Presbyterian) were built and two schools (The Four Gables School and the Fair Oaks Schoolâ€"the current Community Clubhouse) appeared by 1910. The Fair Oaks Library Association formed in 1908 and constructed a permanent building in 1912. The Fair Oaks Civic Club purchased and developed the Plaza in 1918 for recreational and leisure activities. This plaza is still in use today.
No longer citrus
A big freeze hit in 1932 at the height of the Great Depression and many or most citrus groves were lost. After this and a similar freeze in 1934, Fair Oaks was no longer a major producer of citrus fruit in California. Fortunately, growth of the defense firm Aerojet helped the Fair Oaks economy offset the demise of its primary industry. Some temporary dislocations occurred when employment at Aerojet dropped over 90% in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The growth rate still continued, however, because of the increased access to Sacramento by Highway 50 and the construction of the Sunrise Boulevard Bridge in 1954. This allowed for both residents of Fair Oaks to find greater employment in the connecting area and for Sacramentans to relocate to Fair Oaks more easily. The former citrus colony transformed into a bedroom community of greater Sacramento.
Government
Republican Ted Gaines represents the community in the State Senate, while Republican Beth Gaines, represents the community in the State Assembly.
In the United States House of Representatives, Fair Oaks is in California's 7th congressional district, represented by Democrat Ami Bera.
Fair Oaks is an unincorporated community represented by Susan Peters on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. A Local Planning Council, made up of 7 community members, is appointed by the Board of Supervisors to recommend land-use decisions for Fair Oaks. These recommendations are then sent to the Planning Commission of Sacramento County. The Sacramento County Sheriff provides law enforcement for Fair Oaks.
Education
Public schools in Fair Oaks are part of the San Juan Unified School District and include Earl LeGette Elementary School, Northridge Elementary School, Orangevale Open K-8 School, Will Rogers Middle School, Del Campo High School, and Bella Vista High School. Major private schools in Fair Oaks include Summit Christian School, Sacramento Waldorf School, and St. Mel Catholic School .
Transportation
The main highway used to access Fair Oaks is Highway 50. The main boulevards are Madison Avenue (eastâ€"west), Sunrise Boulevard (County Highway E2) (northâ€"south), Hazel Avenue (County Highway E3) (northâ€"south), Sunset Avenue (eastâ€"west), and Fair Oaks Boulevard (eastâ€"west).
Public library
Fair Oaks' public library, which is part of the Sacramento County library system, is located at 11604 Fair Oaks Boulevard, near the corner of Madison Avenue, and adjacent to Fair Oaks Park. Fair Oaks Library has somewhat irregular hours: Closed Sunday and Monday, Tuesday 10am - 8pm, Wednesday 10am - 8pm, Thursday 10am - 6pm, Friday 1pm - 6pm, and Saturday 10am - 5pm.
Notable natives and residents
- Lynn Anderson, singer, best known for "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden"
- Barbara Alby, former California State Assemblywoman, 5th district
- Matt Barnes, professional basketball player
- Joe Carnahan, Smokin' Aces director and worked briefly on Mission: Impossible III before quitting the project
- Delvin Countess, professional soccer player
- Dave Cox, California state senator, 1st district
- Steve Cronin, professional soccer player
- Matt Walbeck, former catcher for Chicago Cubs, former coach for Texas Rangers; lives in Fair Oaks
- Andy Fox, former shortstop for Arizona Diamondbacks, coach for Florida Marlins; lives in Fair Oaks
- Beth Gaines, California State Assemblywoman from Roseville; grew up in Fair Oaks, attended the former La Sierra High School
- Taylor Graham, professional soccer player
- Christianne Klein, actor and TV personality, former ABC News correspondent and entrepreneur; appeared as Linda Garvey in film American Dreamz, and as herself on TV programs Politically Incorrect and Emeril Green with chef Emeril Lagasse; host of Truth Fairy TV.
- Joan Lunden, former host of Good Morning America
- Roger Niello, California State Assemblyman, 5th district; Niello Motors
- Tyler Robertson, professional baseball player
- Rick Schu, former professional baseball player
- Nicholas Sparks, author of The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and Dear John, others
References
External links
- Fair Oaks Community Planning Advisory Council
- Fair Oaks Official Community Website
- Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce
- American River Messenger Newspaper
- Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District