Citrus Heights has a population of more than 84,000 people, and occupies ZIP codes 95610, 95611, and 95621 in Sacramento County. Citrus Heights is located at 38°42′N 121°17′W (38.6947, -121.2905). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.2 square miles (37 km2), all land. The city incorporated January 2, 1997 (1 January according to the official city website), becoming the fifth city in Sacramento County.
Incorporation
After a 12-year battle with the County of Sacramento, the Citrus Heights voters approved the measure to incorporate the City on November 5, 1996, effective January 1, 1997. The measure won, with 62.5% of the votes.
Transportation/access
Citrus Heights is centrally located between the region’s major freeways and highways. Interstate 80, Interstate 5, U.S. Highway 50, and U.S. Highway 99 are all located from three to 11 miles (18 km) from the city. The Sacramento International Airport is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) from the city, while rail transportation (Amtrak) is accessible in Roseville (about 10 miles (16 km) from the city). Public bus transportation is currently provided by the Sacramento Regional Transit District. The City of Citrus Heights is studying the possibility of establishing its own Municipal bus line.
Education
Citrus Heights is primarily served by the San Juan Unified School District. San Juan is the ninth largest school district in California and serves a 75-square-mile (190 km2) area in northeast Sacramento County, including Citrus Heights. Within the city of Citrus Heights there are ten elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. These schools serve over 10,000 students from the city of Citrus Heights. San Juan Unified School District also offers other educational schools and programs such as a special education centers, adult schools, adult handicapped schools, preschool, and before-and after-school programs. Universities and colleges that serve the area include: University of California, Davis; California State University, Sacramento; American River College; Sierra College; McGeorge School of Law; Lincoln Law School; Golden Gate University; University of Phoenix; and National University.
Proximity to markets
Within five miles (8 km) of Citrus Heights, is a population of more than 380,000 people including 148,000 households. The average household income within five miles (8 km) of the city is approximately $63,973. Citrus Heights is part of the overall Sacramento Metropolitan area.
Housing units
Within the city limits are 34,295 housing units. The city’s vacancy rate is approximately four percent. 65% of the city’s housing units are primarily single-family units. The annual median sales price (for all recorded sales) of homes in the 95610 zip code is $299,009, and the median sales price (for all recorded sales) of homes in the 95621 zip code is $261,826 (Sacramento Bee, February 2008). Citrus Heights provides an affordable living environment with quality services, central within the Sacramento region.
Climate
Citrus Heights has a climate that is characterized by mild winters and dry summers. The area usually has a low humidity. Light rain usually occurs between December and February. The average temperature throughout the year is 61° Fahrenheit, with the daily average ranging from 45° in December and January to 76° in July. Average daily high temperatures range from 53° in December and January to 93° in July. Average daily low temperatures range from 38° to 58°. The average year has 73 days with a high over 90°, with the highest temperature on record being 114° on July 17, 1925, and 18 days when the low drops below 32°, with the coldest one day record being December 11, 1932, at 17°. Typically, Citrus Heights enjoys 268 sunny days throughout the year.
Average yearly precipitation is 22.7 inches, with almost no rain during the summer months, to an average rainfall of 3.7 inches in January. On average, 96 days in the year have fog, mostly in the morning, primarily in December and January.
Business and shopping
Citrus Heights is home to a bustling retail and service industry. Sunrise Mall, newly remodeled with over 100 stores, including major department and specialty stores (Macy’s, Sears, JC Penney’s, etc.), is located in the center of the city, along with the Sunrise MarketPlace a growing retail community offering a wide variety of retail, dining, and service establishments (Barnes & Noble, Target Greatland, Best Buy, Lowe’s Home Improvement, etc.). Citrus Heights also features major discount retail stores such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and Wal-Mart.
Parks and recreation programs
Citrus Heights features numerous parks and playgrounds. Many recreational activities and programs are offered through the Sunrise Recreation and Park District.
Neighborhood associations and REACH
Neighborhood associations are groups of grassroots community volunteers who work together to make a difference in their neighborhoods and in the city. Citrus Heights has eleven neighborhood areas, and each one has a corresponding neighborhood association group. Each association has bylaws and a board of directors.
On May 22, 2009, at the Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) Conference in Spokane, WA, the Sylvan-Old Auburn Road (SOAR) Neighborhood, one of the ten Neighborhood Groups located within the City of Citrus Heights, received first place honors in the Multi-Neighborhood Project Partnerships category for their highly-acclaimed 2008 Senior Health Fair event. By receiving the first place category recognition, SOAR was also selected by the NUSA Judges as the prestigious 2009 Neighborhood of the Year.
Neighborhoods, USA is a national non-profit organization committed to building and strengthening neighborhood organizations. Created in 1975 to share information and experiences toward building stronger communities, NUSA now continues to encourage networking and information sharing to facilitate the development of partnerships between neighborhood organizations, government and the private sector.
Police department
The CHPD offices near the city hall.
In June 2006, the City of Citrus Heights formed its own police department. The department attracted lateral police officers from 62 different police agencies throughout California. Under the leadership of Chief of Police Christopher Boyd, the newly formed department took over law enforcement responsibility from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department on June 26, 2006. The police department is a full service agency, with specialty units such as SWAT, Special Investigations, Traffic and School Resource Officers. The department operates its own state of the art communications center, which answers 911 calls and dispatches police units throughout the city.
Notable residents
- Harvey D. Strassman – Psychiatrist and Medical Educator