Region three: Sacramento.

Counties      County Seat        Population          Area/Acres
Alpine        Markleeville            1,200             465,000
Amador        Jackson                32,400             385,000
Colusa        Colusa                 17,300             740,000
El Dorado     Placerville           138,900           1,155,000
Nevada        Nevada City            84,800             635,000
Placer        Auburn                191,100             964,000
Sacramento    Sacramento          1,111,900             650,000
Sierra        Downieville             3,300             614,000
Sutter        Yuba City              70,100             389,000
Yolo          Woodland              149,000             662,000
Yuba          Marysville             61,900             409,000
                             Total: 551,400    Total: 7,068,000

SACRAMENTO OVERVIEW

The Sacramento Valley Region is located in north Central California and is bounded by Nevada on the east and parts of the coastal range, delta and Sacramento Valley on the west. The lower Sacramento Valley and the northern Sierra Nevada mountain range make up the region.

Farm, government and private interests account for land ownership.

Farms are mostly in the western half of the region, including much of Colusa, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba, and Sacramento Counties. Most of the government-owned lands are primarily national forests located in the eastern portion of the region. Several military installations are there as well. Private land is composed of forests, mostly in the eastern portion of the region, and urban land. Most of the privately-held forest lands were given during the 1800's when the railroad came west.

Regional climate varies greatly with the lower Sacramento Valley typically hot in the summer and cool in the winter. The northern Sierra Nevada mountain range area experiences snow in the winter, usually around 3,000 feet, and warms in the summer.

DEMOGRAPHICS:

More than 1.8-million people make the Sacramento Region home. The greater Sacramento area, including Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado and Placer Counties, accounts for 85 percent of the overall population. However, Alpine and Sierra Counties in the Sierra Nevada mountains, have the lowest populations in the state at 1,200 people for Alpine, and 3,300 for Sierra. That works out to be less than three people per square mile between the two counties.

Between 1980 and 1990 population grew in the Sacramento Valley by over one-third. The strong growth is attributed to the influx of people moving from crowded urban areas to more rural surroundings.

REGIONAL ECONOMY:

Agriculture continues to provide much of the economic stability in the region, with Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, and Yolo accounting for almost half of the total agricultural employment in the region. By comparison, statewide agriculture accounts for only about 4 percent of total jobs.

The trade and services sector are the dominant employers, providing 45 percent of jobs in the region. Partly due to the strong regional population growth and stronger tourism, trade and service sectors are among the five fastest growing employment sectors.

Manufacturing adds about 6 percent to the job base, and although only a small part of the regional economic picture, it was the second fastest growing sector in the region in the late 1980's. Lumber and wood products, fabricated metals, food processing and printing and publishing make up the manufacturing sector.

Government employment is significant to the region with the dominance of Sacramento as the state capital, and several military installations located there as well. However, dependence on government employment is declining with more jobs shifting to the private sector.

LABOR FORCE:

The regional unemployment rate for 1992 of 8.7 percent reflects a mix of lower unemployment rates in the more urbanized areas, and a higher rate in the areas relying more heavily on seasonal employment, such as agriculture and tourism. Almost 185,000 new jobs were created in the Sacramento Region during the past five years, accounting for 7 percent of all new jobs in California.

INCOME:

Income growth in the Sacramento Region tends to be below the statewide average. 1988 statistics show a per capita personal income of $11,195 for Yuba County, the regional low figure, to a high level of $17,936 in Placer County. Statewide average for that same period was $18,753.

REAL ESTATE AND HOUSING:

The Sacramento Region offers-affordable housing with a consistent price range below the statewide average. According to the California Association of Realtors, the mid-1990 median price of an existing single family home in California was $196,078. In the Sacramento area for the same year, the median home price was $135,118, and in the Central Valley area it was $113,168.

COUNTIES OF SACRAMENTO

ALPINE COUNTY

Just about all of Alpine County is government-owned, with nearly 93 percent of its 727 square miles, public land. With so much of its land area preserved in its natural state and with a location in the higher ranges of the Toiyable National Forest, Alpine County has the distinction of being California's smallest county, with a population of 1,200 people.

The county has a mountainous lifestyle centered in an elevation ranging from 4,860 feet up to 11,459 feet, with an annual snowfall of nearly 90-inches. Major industries in this sparsely-populated county are cattle, recreation and tourism, mining and timber.

AMADOR COUNTY

Located in the central Mother Lode region of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 45 miles east of Sacramento and Stockton, Amador County promotes itself as the "Heart of the Mother Lode." It has a population of 32,000, an area of 385,000 acres, and elevations ranging from 200 to 9,000 feet.

Jackson, the county seat, offers a wide range of businesses, professions and services, and is the hub of the region's trade. Although lumber, mining, agriculture and tourism are the major industries, Amador is focusing on industrial development. The wine industry, currently with over 15 local wineries, is strengthening. K-Mart recently relocated to the county and a WalMart is planned.

Amador has been experiencing a strong population growth as people relocate to this picturesque rural area to escape the metropolitan lifestyle. State migration statistics for the county between 1990 and 1991, indicate that of the 2,476 people moving into Amador County, 2,229 moved in from another California county, and 247 came from out of state.

COLUSA COUNTY

Colusa County has a population of 17,300 people in a rural area of 740,000 acres. The strongest employment sector is agriculture, accounting for more than one-third of county jobs. Trade and service-related jobs account for the remaining economic strengths.

EL DORADO COUNTY

El Dorado County experienced a strong population increase between 1980 and 1990 as people moved to this foothill area to escape the highly populated urban areas. Current population for El Dorado County is 138,900 which is one of the more populated counties of the region. With its outdoor location in the El Dorado Forest, tourism ranks as its main industry. Trade and services jobs account for nearly half of the county's employment.

NEVADA COUNTY

Another county experiencing strong migration from other areas is Nevada County. With the strong tourist industry in the area, many people who visit the county often end up relocating to it. Tourism is the mainstay of the county, with its trade and services industries responsible for half the county's employment.

Nevada County covers 987 square miles, has a population of nearly 85,000, and ranges in elevation from 300 feet to 9,143 feet above sea level. Major employment comes from tourism-related service and retail jobs, and manufacturing. Nevada County's quality of life is attracting light industry into the area, with the potential for manufacturing jobs to surpass those in the government sector.

PLACER COUNTY

Placer County (pronounced Plasser) is among the region's highest growth areas. Tourism is its number-one industry and here, as in other counties in this region, many of the visitors ultimately turn into residents. Current population for the county is 191,000 with a land area of 964,000 acres.

The median family income for 1990 in Placer County was $42,805, which was above the $40,559 median family income figure for the State of California for the same year. Placer County is located along Interstate 80 and stretches from the state capitol on the southwest, to Lake Tahoe on the northwest.

The County's transportation network is an integral part of its progress. Its central location within the state makes it a hub of transportation including several major highways, rail freight service, Amtrak service, air service via four major commercial airlines and commuter airlines, and convenient access to the Port of Sacramento.

The seat of government for the county is the City of Auburn with a population of 25,000 residents. Civic leaders are working to develop a healthy economy to provide the area with necessary tools for continued growth. Strong consideration is also given to maintaining the excellent quality of life in Auburn and Placer County. "Profit with a purpose" has been translated into "a community with a spirit" in Auburn.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY

Sacramento County is the key county in the region, having the distinction of being the capital of the most populous state in the United States. It an area of abundant water, with a large land area of 650,000 acres and an available, educated labor pool among its population of over one-million people.

Its deep-sea port, four freeways, major railroad freight yards, dozens of trucking companies and a busy commercial airport account for its vitality as a transportation center.

With an employment of about 85,000 people in the state government sector, the Sacramento area economy centers around government jobs. That figure represents far more employment than the largest private sector employers combined. Sacramento's government-based economy has been described as "about the closest you can get to a recession-proof industry."

Non-government employment continues to increase with a 50 percent growth rate in the 1980's. Many firms are finding the Sacramento area to be a reasonably priced alternative to some of the larger, crowded urban areas. Much of the area's growth is coming from high-tech companies such as Hewlett-Packard Co., Intel Corp., and NEC Electronics.

SIERRA COUNTY

Sierra County is situated with Reno, Nevada just over its eastern border, Plumas County to the north, Yuba to the west and Nevada County to the south. Within its mountainous terrain is the Toiyable National Forest. Its primarily rural land area of 614,000 acres has a population of 3,300. Downievielle is the county seat.

SUTTER COUNTY

Bounded on the east by the Feather River and on the west by the Sacramento River, Sutter County covers an area of 389,000 acres. California's lush central valley and "the world's smallest mountain range," Sutter Buttes, a part of this region.

Sutter County depends heavily on agriculture as a chief source of employment, providing more than one-fifth of its jobs. Food processing, lumber and wood products and government--especially Beale Air Force Base--are strong economic contributors. Light manufacturing is a part of the area's diversification program with a number of food processing, energy, and fabrication plants relocating to Sutter County, and its county seat of Yuba City, in particular.

YOLO COUNTY

Yolo County is home to the University of California, Davis, one of the state's most advanced institutions of higher learning. The school is a recognized leader in agricultural, biological and environmental sciences. Its research programs include national centers for AIDS studies, agricultural health and safety, and plant bio-engineering for resistance against disease. Research accomplishments include the development of more than two dozen grape varieties, as well as improved methods for wine making; development of more than 155 new varieties of fruits, grains and vegetables; and the pioneering of "Robodoc," a robotic device that aids in hip implant surgery.

It is one of the region's major agriculture-producing counties, accounting for 8 percent of overall country employment. Government, trade, services and manufacturing make up the remaining economic picture for the country.

YUBA COUNTY

Agricultural employment is the continuing strength in Yuba County. But development into other areas is proceeding with its continued population increase. It has a population base of 61,900 on a land area of 409-thousand acres.

The City of Marysville is the Yuba County seat and serves as a commercial center for the region. Some of the largest industrial and non-industrial employers in the Marysville area include: Naumes Inc, Yuba River Molding and Millwork, Water Works Mfg, DPM Foods, Marysville Forest Products, Booth Inc., Appear Democrat, Blue Shield, Beale Air Force Base, Caltrans, Pacific Gas & Electric and the County of Yuba.

FIGHTING BACK

SACRAMENTO RECIPES FOR SUCCESS

In Amador County, government and business leaders are focusing on attracting light industrial development. With attention being given to retaining the small-town lifestyle that draws tourists, Amador is looking at attracting companies with 100 or fewer employees. The Amador County Board recently approved a 237-acre industrial park targeted at mineral processing. With the raw materials of clay and silica sand, the community hopes to attract potential ceramic or brick-processing operations.

In Yuba County, three major housing projects are underway to support future growth. Two of the projects are fully approved and the third is very close. So far 2,700 housing units have been processed and another 7,600 are pending. The three major residential projects include: 1) East Linda Specific Plan: 6,000 units over 1,327 acres with projected population of 15,000. 2) The Spring Valley Specific Plan: 3,500 units over 1,715 acres with projected population of 8,750. 3) The North Marysville Specific Plan: 4,945 units over 685 acres with projected population of 12,017. If you're counting, that's 14,445 units to accommodate 35,767 people. Contact: Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1429, Marysville, CA 95901, 916 743-6501, FAX [phone].

Placer County is serious about helping companies relocate to their region. When calling the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce by phone [phone]), potential business callers get a choice of messages on tourism, community events or relocation. The relocation tape offers a choice of materials that can be sent regarding moving into the area as a business or a resident, or assistance for any part of Placer County.

THAT GOLDEN TOUCH

The search for gold...past and present...keeps this region thriving

It was gold that put California on the map in 1849, the first major year of the California Gold Rush. It was this discovery in the Gold Country that started a population boom that continues today. Gold Country is made up of nine counties, lined up as if strung on a chain, draped over the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Five of those counties--Amador, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, and Sierra--are a part of the Sacramento Region.

Gold Country is a rugged, mountainous, sparsely populated area, mingled with progressive urban areas. The history of the Gold Rush Days is an important asset, as tourists flock to the region to see where it all began.

Amador County is called the "Golden Heart of the Mother Lode" and is where more than half of the gold was found. Places like Jackson, the county seat; Volcano, site of California's first public library; and Sutter Creek, a well-preserved '49ers gold town, contribute to the region's vast "Mother Lode of History." There are no traffic lights in Amador County, offering evidence of its peaceful lifestyle.

Placerville, seat of El Dorado County, has preserved an old gold mine. Coloma has the distinction of significant historical note with famous Sutter's Mill, site of the first discovery of gold. Other towns in the region such as Auburn, Grass Valley, Nevada City and Downieville, are legacies left behind by the '49ers.

California's state capital is where today's Gold Rush is happening. Sacramento is a progressive city on the cutting edge of new economies, yet able to preserve its valuable history and sought-after quality of life. It has been described by many as the ideal place to live. With a healthy government employment base, a growing private industry sector, a beautiful location with room to expand, and plentiful water, it's a city with much to offer. With Sacramento area housing costs estimated to be 30 percent less than the rest of the state, it is possible to enjoy California living with a Midwestern price tag.

The counties of Yuba and Sutter share the region's history as one of the area's major trading centers during the Gold Rush days. Today they find their gold in the form of tourism and agriculture. Yuba County is home to the Bok Kai Temple, the only temple of its kind in the United States dedicated to worship of the River God, Bok Kai. Sutter County is listed with the federal government as having the "World's Smallest Mountain Range," the Sutter Buttes. This unique range, once called the "Middle Mountains of the Valley," forms a circular pattern about 9 miles in diameter, with the highest peak at South Butte of 2,117 feet.

Alpine County, California's least populated county, is made up of 93-public lands and is known as the "Alps of America." It is a mixture of lush, green forests, clear blue lakes and streams full of trout. The area's natural beauty sets the scene for an abundance of recreational activities including skiing, fishing, hiking, and a popular event held every July, called the Markleeville Death Ride--a 150-mile bike ride over five high-elevation passes.

The Sacramento Region is dominated by the Sierra Nevada Mountains and spreads across lush valleys, through a mixture of waterways blended into The Delta below. It experiences all the seasons and offers a beautiful area in which to locate and live a slower-paced lifestyle.

Rough and Ready...They Succeed...Then Secede

The Nevada County town of Rough and Ready has made its mark in history as the only California town to secede from the Union. As a '49ers mining town, Rough and Ready residents rejected a federal Mining Tax imposed on all claims, and in 1850 voted to secede from the Union.

The Great Republic of Rough and Ready stood on its own for 44 days until the Fourth of July Celebration. Realizing they could no longer participate in the holiday, residents ran Old Glory up the flagpole and forgot all about secession. The Fourth of July wasn't the only benefit that had disappeared during secession: The U.S. government removed the local post office. It was ultimately returned a few years later.

Contact: Rough and Ready Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 801, Rough and Ready CA 95975, 916-273-8140.

Business expanding in Placer County

Aspect Electronics, Inc. is Streamlined into Auburn

Placer County is doing something right--as a matter of fact, they're doing a lot right. In a time of economic upheaval, they seem to be enjoying the stability of most of their local businesses and are bringing industry to the area as well.

Aspect Electronics recently relocated to the Auburn area, citing quality of life advantages to living and doing business in Placer County.

As David Wilton, President of Aspect Electronics put it, "Ever been to Auburn? It's in the Sierra foothills and is beautiful, but not too far from vendors in Sacramento. It's reasonably close to suppliers, as opposed to the deserts of Nevada."

Aspect Electronics, a manufacturer of state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment, moved from the Bay Area with a staff of 28, hired 12 others locally, and expects to double the total number within five years.

David Spaur, Executive Director of Placer County's Office of Economic Development says, "Aspect wasn't going to locate here because it would take too long, so the City streamlined the process and got all the permits in 31 days."

Not only were the initial stages done quickly, but Aspect occupied the building within 92 days from start of the project.

For those in doubt about the quality of the 19,000-square-foot project, with the rapid processing and construction time, the architect and builder received the Cammy Award for the highest quality commercial building for 1992.

"The City of Auburn and Placer County were very helpful and went out of their way to fast-track the permit process, said Wilton.

"We built the building in 14 weeks from the time we signed the contract and it was all due to the help the community provided. It was a real good experience."