Citrus Heights’ brand, “Solid Roots. New Growth.” pays homage to the city’s history while giving a nod toward development. As a ploy to attract buyers in the early 20th century, real estate firms changed the city’s name from Sylvan, after its first school, to the more melodic Citrus Heights for the area's fruit orchards. It evolved from a way station for freight wagons to a ranching and farming destination, and finally, to an area where shopping reigns supreme. During the 1960s, the Grand Oaks Plaza, one of the country’s first indoor malls, was constructed, followed by Sunrise Mall and Birdcage Walk. Now there are plans to transform the Sunrise Mall area into a more extensive dining, shopping and entertainment hub.
Today, roughly 89,000 residents call Citrus Heights home. Many commute about 15 miles southwest to Downtown Sacramento; others work in the retail and service industries. Twenty-five parks and open spaces here encourage exercise and relaxation, and housing prices are slightly above the national average.
Citrus Heights was incorporated to an independent city in 1997.
The Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights has a JC Penny clothing store.
Sunrise Marketplace is a Longstanding Shopping Center in the Golden Oaks Neighborhood
The Sunrise Mall has Become a Nice Place to Shop with a Little Slower Pace in the Golden Oaks Neighborhood
Citrus Heights’ Home Goods is a great place to find discounted house decorating items.
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A huge variety of shops for every need
More than 600 shops sit in the city’s southeastern end. Sunrise Mall is anchored by JCPenney and Macy’s, along with jewelers and electronic stores. The Marketplace at Birdcage Walk has big-box stores, such as Lowe’s Home Improvement, border coffee shops and grocery stores, including Sprouts Farmers Market. Fashion boutiques are a few blocks from beer houses and bars near Auburn Boulevard. Elsewhere, American and Tex-Mex chain eateries share blocks with fast-food joints, and diners and cafes line Greenback Lane.
Patrons are enjoying lunch at the popular Charlies Café in Citrus Heights.
For the best authentic Mexican food, come try El Tapatio in Citrus Heights.
For farm fresh produce try Sprouts Farmers Market in Citrus Heights.
There is a Lowes for all your building and home upgrade needs in Citrus Heights.
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Home prices slightly above national average
Most homes in Citrus Heights sell after an average of 27 days, compared to the national average of 44. Throughout the last 12 months, the average sale price for single-family homes has risen 5% to $476,035. Prices for two-bedroom homes from the 1960s and '70s start around $315,000, while three-bedroom homes from the 1980s and ‘90s typically range from $450,000 to around $600,000, with four-bedroom homes selling as high as $800,000.
Ranch-style homes, many L-shaped, are spread throughout the city, most of which have well-manicured yards with carports or up to two-car garages. Contemporary Craftsman-style homes with two-car garages sit on larger lots toward the northeast, and a few cottage-styles and 1920s bungalows are found in the northern end. Residential streets like Cowboy and Trailride Way honor the area’s ranching history, and many are lined with mature trees, shrubs and sidewalks.
Some homes in Citrus Heights are duplexes with single car garages.
The most popular style of home, in Citrus Heights is like this ranch-style home.
This contemporary-style home is a rare find in Citrus Heights.
This 2-story modern-style home has a three-car garage in Citrus Heights.
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Career Technical Education at San Juan Unified district schools
The San Juan Unified School District, which earns a B-plus from Niche, serves over 40,000 students and pledges to create an anti-racist environment where students can thrive; it receives an A-rating for diversity. The district has 64 schools and offers programs like Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), which prepares students for college, and Career Technical Education pathways for students interested in building and construction, engineering and architecture or health sciences.
Arlington Heights Elementary is an award-winning school in the area.
San Juan High School is an award-winning school in the San Juan Unified School District.
Local students can attend Will Rogers Middle School.
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Multiple green spaces, activities and a city golf course
Kevin Huntzinger, district administrator for Sunrise Recreation and Park District, which partners with Citrus Heights, says outdoor activity is significant to residents here. “Our programs are booming and always full,” he says, “and some of the most popular activities include pickleball at 50-acre Rusch Park, where people play day in and day out no matter the weather.” The city has an aquatics program that provides swimming lessons and a public pool. “It amazes me how busy the pool is every day during the summer,” says Huntzinger. Smaller pocket parks with playgrounds and gardens are within walking distance of many homes, and the public 9-hole Foothill Golf Course, located next to Interstate 80, provides junior lessons and Glow Golf events.
Rusch Park in Citrus Heights is very popular with the pickleball players.
You can practice your free-throws at Citrus Heights’ Rusch Community Park.
Your kids can learn to swim at Rusch Community Pool in Citrus Heights.
Foothill Golf Course is a small well maintained 9-hole course in Citrus Heights.
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Holiday events with light contests
Every December, the community gathers at City Hall for the Annual Tree Lighting, which features train rides, sweet treats and carols. The Best Lights in Citrus Heights contest includes the Griswold award for the brightest light display and the Jingle All the Way for the best animation and music display. For Independence Day, Van Maren Park is filled with live music, area food trucks and fireworks, while during the City Scoop Neighborhood Event Series, local communities host ice cream socials to encourage neighbors to get to know one another. Stones Gambling Hall sits just west of Interstate 80 and offers table games, poker and virtual golf, along with Sammy’s Restaurant and Bar, a local favorite since 1989.
Local car enthusiasts meet up at the Classic Car Cruise in Citrus Heights.
Santa and Mrs. Claus are the main attraction at the Citrus Heights Tree Lighting Event.
Sammy’s Restaurant and Bar is inside Stones Casino serving Citrus Heights.
Stones Gambling Hall has tables and cards in Citrus Heights.
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Access to Interstate 80 and Sunrise Mall additions
Interstate 80 jets through the city's western portion, which leads 15 miles southwest to Downtown Sacramento, and Auburn Boulevard, part of the Lincoln Highway – America’s original transcontinental road – is one of the city’s main thoroughfares. Sacramento Regional Transit buses serve the southwestern end of town. Designated bike lanes parallel the most prominent streets, and sidewalks line residential areas. Sacramento International Airport sits about 22 miles west, and Mercy San Juan Medical Center borders the city's southwestern boundary.
City council members have approved a plan to revitalize Sunrise Mall into a multi-purpose area with office space, a hotel and residential units. Citrus Heights has received funding to study how to improve pedestrian and bicycle access across Interstate 80, and officials are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by updating homes and businesses to meet new energy efficiency standards.
Increasing violent crime and flooding mitigation
According to the local police department’s Annual Report, violent crimes have increased since 2022, while property crimes have decreased. Both, though, are well below national averages. The department hired additional police officers in 2023 and is working to suppress street crime through education and prevention strategies.
Citrus Heights experiences warm, dry summers with low humidity and mild winters. Average high temperatures range from the mid-40s during the colder months to the mid-70s in the summer. Rain typically falls during December and January, causing foggy mornings, and the sun usually shines over 260 days of the year here.
Flooding has occurred along Citrus Heights’ 26 miles of creeks, especially after heavy rainfall. The last major flooding event took place in 2012, when rain from three storms overwhelmed the city’s drainage system. Since then, city officials have been implementing solutions to the drainage problems and offering residents sandbags from October to March.
Written By
Tess Evans
Photography Contributed By
Daniel Reagan
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
Agents Specializing in this Area
Kyle Flohr-Jemmings
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Napolitano & Associates
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