Is Foothill Farms Safe, Pros and cons of living in Foothill Farms
Is it Safe to Live in Foothill Farms?
Foothill Farms presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with crime rates that are notably higher than both state and national averages. Overall crime stands at 4,513 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 94% higher than the national average (as reported by an unnamed source analyzing crime data). Violent crime rates are also elevated, at 794 crimes per 100,000 people, exceeding the national average by 115% (as reported by an unnamed source analyzing crime data).
Despite these statistics, many residents consider Foothill Farms a safe place to live. The higher crime rates are attributed to specific pockets within the community, often linked to nightlife and gang activity, which can skew the overall figures. It’s noted that many areas within Foothill Farms experience little to no crime, suggesting that safety can vary significantly by neighborhood (as reported by an unnamed source analyzing crime data).
Pros and Cons of Living in Foothill Farms
Affordability and Cost of Living
Foothill Farms offers a cost of living that, while higher than the national average, is considered relatively affordable compared to many other California communities. The overall Cost of Living Index for Foothill Farms is 127.2, meaning it is 27.2% more expensive than the national average (as reported by an unnamed source analyzing cost of living data). A family of four would need an annual income of approximately $124,472 to live comfortably in the area (as reported by the Economic Policy Institute).
Housing costs are a significant factor in the area’s affordability. The median home price in Foothill Farms is around $415,000 (as reported by Redfin), which is more affordable than the national average of $435,000 and notably less expensive than the median home price in neighboring Sacramento, which is $520,000 (as reported by Redfin). The median rent for an apartment in Foothill Farms is approximately $1,302 per month (as reported by RentCafe), representing a decrease from the previous year.
Job Market and Economy
Foothill Farms benefits from its proximity to Sacramento, offering access to a robust job market. The average salary in the Foothill Farms/Sacramento area is around $83,000 (as reported by Payscale). Many residents commute to Sacramento for work, given that Foothill Farms is largely a residential community.
Sacramento’s economy is heavily influenced by its role as the state capital, with a significant number of public sector employees. Major employers in the broader Sacramento area include Sutter Health and Blue Diamond Growers (as reported by Payscale). The state of California itself is a massive employer in the region, with numerous job opportunities across various government sectors.
Demographics and Community
Foothill Farms has a population of approximately 35,834 residents, showing an increase since 2010 (as reported by the U.S. Census). The median age in Foothill Farms is around 32.8 years, indicating a relatively young population (as reported by the U.S. Census). The community is diverse, with White residents making up about 53.5% of the population, followed by those identifying with two or more races, Black or African American, and Asian demographics (as reported by the U.S. Census).
Educational attainment in Foothill Farms shows that 88.1% of residents have a high school degree or higher, with 16.8% holding a bachelor’s degree or more (as reported by the U.S. Census). A notable portion of the population, 25.8%, is foreign-born (as reported by the U.S. Census).
Climate and Weather
The climate in Foothill Farms is characterized by a hot-summer Mediterranean pattern, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The average summer temperature hovers around 78.5ºF, while the average winter temperature is about 47.5ºF (as reported by an unnamed source analyzing weather data). Summers are generally hot and clear, lasting from June to September, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 87°F.
Winters are cool and partly cloudy, with average daily high temperatures below 62°F from late November to mid-February. The coldest month is typically December, with average low temperatures around 40°F. Foothill Farms experiences a relatively low amount of rainfall, with an annual average of about 4.5 inches (as reported by an unnamed source analyzing weather data). The period from May to September is generally dry, with August receiving almost no rain.
Housing Market Overview
The housing market in Foothill Farms is described as competitive. The median listing price for a home in Foothill Farms is around $400,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®). However, recent data from Redfin indicates a median sale price of $415,000 as of March 2026, which is down 9.78% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin).
Homes in Foothill Farms tend to sell relatively quickly, with an average of 14 days on the market in March 2026, a significant decrease from 29 days in the prior year (as reported by Redfin). The market sees a healthy number of home sales, with 23 homes sold in March 2026, an increase from the previous year (as reported by Redfin).
Schools and Education
Public School District
Families in Foothill Farms are served by the Twin Rivers Unified School District. This district educates over 25,000 students across 54 schools, providing a range of educational options for the community’s youth (as reported by an unnamed source providing school district information).
Within the Foothill Farms area, several schools operate under this district. These include Foothill Oaks Elementary School, Foothill Ranch Middle School, and Foothill High School, offering educational pathways from elementary through secondary levels.
School Performance and Ratings
Schools in Foothill Farms receive varied ratings, with some elementary schools earning a B+ grade. For instance, Barrett Ranch Elementary School has a B+ rating, serves 556 students, and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22:1 (as reported by Niche). Cambridge Heights Elementary School also holds a B+ rating, with 321 students and a student-teacher ratio of 27:1 (as reported by Niche).
Orangevale Open K-8 is another school in the vicinity with a B+ rating, serving 585 students with a 23:1 student-teacher ratio (as reported by Niche). These ratings, based on analysis of statistics and reviews, offer insights into the quality of education available to local families.
Demographics and Lifestyle
Population and Age Distribution
Foothill Farms is home to approximately 36,435 residents, indicating a growing community (as reported by Niche). The median age in Foothill Farms is 33.6 years, with a balanced sex ratio of 50.1% female and 49.9% male (as reported by Data Commons and the U.S. Census). A significant portion of the population, 26.2%, is under the age of 18, suggesting a community with a considerable number of families and younger residents (as reported by Wikipedia).
The age distribution shows that 30.4% of residents are between 25 and 44 years old, while 22.6% are between 45 and 64. The older demographic, those aged 65 and over, represents 11.9% of the population (as reported by Wikipedia). This distribution points to a community with a strong working-age population and a growing senior segment.
Racial and Ethnic Composition
Foothill Farms is a diverse community. White residents constitute the largest racial group, making up 53.5% of the population, with 47.7% identified as non-Hispanic White (as reported by the U.S. Census). The community also includes significant populations of those identifying with two or more races (13.2%), Black or African American (11.8%), and Asian (11.6%) (as reported by the U.S. Census).
Other racial groups are represented in smaller percentages, including American Indian (1.1%) (as reported by the U.S. Census). The foreign-born population is approximately 25.8%, contributing to the cultural richness of Foothill Farms (as reported by the U.S. Census).
Income and Poverty Levels
The median household income in Foothill Farms is approximately $68,042 (as reported by the U.S. Census and Data USA). However, the poverty rate in the area is 17.6%, which is higher than the national average of 12.5% (as reported by Data USA).
The largest demographic groups living below the poverty line include females aged 35-44, followed by males aged 35-44. The most common racial or ethnic groups experiencing poverty are White, followed by Hispanic and other racial categories (as reported by Data USA). This indicates a need for targeted economic support and social services within the community.
Lifestyle and Community Feel
Foothill Farms is often described as a dense suburban area where most residents own their homes (as reported by Niche). The community offers a variety of amenities, including numerous restaurants, coffee shops, and parks, contributing to a family-friendly atmosphere (as reported by Niche).
While some residents describe the community as having individuals who keep to themselves, others highlight positive aspects like responsible dog owners and organized neighborhood events, such as neighborhood parties (as reported by Trulia). The community is also noted for its diversity, ranking among the most diverse suburbs in California (as reported by Niche).