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Frequently asked questions

Folsom, CA

Folsom is a city in Sacramento County, California, United States. It is commonly known for Folsom State Prison, made famous in the song "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash, as well as for Folsom Lake. The population was 80,454 at the 2020 census. Folsom is part of the Sacramento−Arden-Arcade−Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34 square miles (88 km2), of which, 31.9 square miles (83 km2) of it is land and 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2) of it (9.69%) is water. Folsom is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.

Carpenter Hill in Folsom has the highest elevation in Sacramento County.

The Nisenan tribe of Native Americans had long inhabited the area. The Gold Rush of 1849 brought violence, disease, and overwhelming loss for the tribes.

Joseph Libbey Folsom purchased Rancho Rio de los Americanos from the heirs of San Francisco merchant William Alexander Leidesdorff and laid out the town called Granite City, mostly occupied by gold miners seeking their fortune in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Though few amassed a great deal of wealth, the city prospered due to Joseph Folsom's lobbying to get a railway to connect the town with Sacramento. Joseph died in 1855, and Granite City was later renamed Folsom in his honor. The railway was abandoned in the 1980s but opened up as the terminus of the Gold Line of Sacramento Regional Transit District's light rail service in 2005. A few former gold-rush-era towns are located within the city limits of Folsom, including Prairie City, Salmon Falls, and Mormon Island.

Folsom included a significant Chinese American community when it was first incorporated, but arsonists burned Folsom's Chinatown in March 1886, driving Chinese Americans out of town. 

The establishment of Folsom Prison came in 1880 when the Livermore family agreed with the state to donate land for the prison in exchange for prison labor. They planned to build a hydroelectric dam from the American River for a sawmill. Though the sawmill did not work out, the Livermores soon realized that the natural force of running water could provide enough power to transmit to Sacramento, and the Folsom Powerhouse, now a National Historic Landmark, was opened. At the time it was opened, it had the longest overhead run of electricity (22 miles) in the country. The powerhouse operated until 1952.

Folsom focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Folsom’s Recreation and Community Services Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and Powerhouse Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Folsom, such as the Johnny Cash Trail and the Lake Natoma American River Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top Sites in Folsom, CA are Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, SeaQuest Folsom, and Folsom Prison Museum. 

Population: 84,782 (2023). ZIP codes: 95630, 95671, 95763. Area codes: 916, 279. Elevation: 220 ft (70 m). Area: 34 square miles (88 km2).

 

FAQs

Is Folsom, CA a good place to live?

Folsom is in Sacramento County and is one of the best places to live in California. Living in Folsom offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Folsom, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.

Why is Folsom, CA so expensive?

Like many California cities, Folsom has a higher-than-average cost of living. While utilities are lower than average in Folsom, groceries, housing, and transportation are much higher than average for the U.S. Housing is the biggest factor influencing the high cost of living in Folsom and it's about 120% higher than the national average.
 

Where should I live in Folsom, CA?

The most desired areas tend to be in the northwest parts of the city, while more affordable homes are in the northern regions. Median house prices in Folsom, CA are $601,438, meaning Folsom homes are much more expensive than the US median of $318,879. We also analyzed a significant sample of cities with similar populations and found homes in Folsom cost much more. Compared to California, Folsom home prices are similar to the state's average of $648,235.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Folsom

Folsom’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Planet Fitness

Anytime Fitness 

Powerhouse Fitness

Johnny Cash Trail 

Lake Natoma American River Trail

Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary

SeaQuest Folsom

Folsom Prison Museum

Niche

Sacramentomover.net

Bestneighborhood.org
 

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