Section 3. Community Profile

A Brief History 

Native tribes have inhabited the Sacramento County area for centuries. These include the Nisenan, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok, and the Patwin Wintun tribes.

Starting in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Spanish settlements took root, until Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821, and the area became part of the Mexican State of Alta California. The United States initiated the Mexican American War against Mexico in 1846 and California was annexed to the U.S. in 1848.

With the discovery of gold in 1848, thousands of immigrants from around the world arrived in the region, displacing and decimating the indigenous populations. Many settlers, seeking fortune, descended upon the Sacramento region and caused the city and county to become a major transportation hub, center of commerce, and the gateway to the gold country.

In 1850, settlers incorporated Sacramento County to meet the needs of a growing population. The County is one of the original 27 counties of California. Its largest city, Sacramento, became the capital of California in 1854.

Located in the center of the state, the County borders eight other counties. It is now home to seven cities and a large unincorporated area. The City of Sacramento was the first to incorporate in 1849, followed by Isleton in 1923. Galt and Folsom both incorporated in 1946. Citrus Heights (1997), Elk Grove (2000), and Rancho Cordova (2003) all incorporated in the last 30 years. See a map of the county and the incorporated cities on the next page.

Today, Sacramento County hosts a diverse employment sector. Government is the major employer, with the State Capitol housing California’s executive and legislative branches. Other large employment sectors include agriculture, education, information technology, and health services. These economic engines support a population of over 1.5 million, making Sacramento County the eighth most populous county in California.

Older Adults 

In 2023, Sacramento County had 343,903 residents aged 60 and older, which is 22% of the county’s population. By 2030, 25% of the population will be aged 60 and older.

Sacramento County's aging population represents an opportunity to revisit how we design our communities, including how we provide health care, social services, and infrastructure. The increasing older adult population offers unprecedented opportunities to engage, learn from, listen to, and empower older persons in our communities. 

Residents with Disabilities 

In 2023, 13% of Sacramento County’s population (205,957 residents) had a disability. The most common are mobility or walking difficulties (99,808 residents), cognitive difficulties (92,162), and independent living difficulties (83,774).

Among county residents under the age of 18, 5% live with a disability. That percentage grows to 11% for residents between the ages of 18 and 64. For adults aged 60 and older, the percentage increases to 32%. Of all residents with a disability, over half are older adults. Disability rates increase as people age due to medical conditions, injuries, and unequal access to necessary resources.

Overlapping Populations

There is significant overlap between the older adult and disability populations in Sacramento County. 108,673 residents are over age 60 and have a disability. When the two populations are combined, they account for 28% of the entire county population. 

Summary Data Table

In tablet and mobile view, click on the table below to scroll through the data.