What makes up unincorporated Sacramento County? Bee Curious breaks it down
Roughly 600,000 people in Sacramento County live in unincorporated areas, according to the U.S. Census.
Several areas across the county have this “unincorporated” status, meaning not officially a city or part of one.
A reader reached out to The Sacramento Bee, asking: “What is considered unincorporated areas?”
The Bee is answering this question as part of its Bee Curious series, a community-driven project in which Bee journalists answer reader questions about the region.
Defining unincorporated areas
Unincorporated districts, also known as U.S. Census designated places, are outlined by the government for data and do not have elected city officials.
These communities, whether big or small, aregoverned by county officials and laws.
Unincorporated Sacramento
Sacramento County is home to several unincorporated communities, including Arden Arcade, east of downtown Sacramento.
Considered one of the “most intensely developed areas of unincorporated Sacramento County,” according to Sacramento’s 2035 General Plan, Arden Arcade has more than 90,000 residents. It is under the jurisdiction of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.
Sacramento County has several other unincorporated communities, including Carmichael, Antelope and Fair Oaks.
Other unincorporated areas are:
- Rio Linda
- Orangevale
- Elverta
- Foothill Farms
- North Highlands
- Gold River
- Mather
- Rosemont
- Vineyard
The county has seven incorporated cities, including Sacramento, Elk Grove and Citrus Heights.
Folsom, Galt, Isleton and Rancho Cordova round out the list of incorporated cities in the county.
According to the 2020 Census, the county has a population of more than 1.5 million, with about 600,000 living in unincorporated areas.
If these communities were to become a city within the county, it would be the largest city in the greater Sacramento region and the fifth largest in the state, according to the county website.
This story was originally published August 16, 2022 at 5:00 AM.