$700,928Average Value$343Average Price per Sq Ft96Homes For Sale
Close-knit bedroom community, known for friendly feral chickens
While many of the other Sacramento suburbs have tried to keep up with the state’s capital, Fair Oaks embraces its small-town, country feel by letting dozens of live chickens freely roam the streets in Fair Oaks Village, the community’s small historic downtown area. “People love them, or they hate them, but they definitely make our community unique,” says Nan Danford, a local Realtor with Better Homes & Gardens who’s also very active in the community. “Kids love to run around and watch them at the parks.” Though Fair Oaks initially relied on citrus farming, the scenic streetscapes and proximity to major highways have transformed the unincorporated town into a popular bedroom community for families and commuters. Still, Fair Oaks maintains a close-knit vibe with many grassroots organizations focused on retaining the local charm. The volunteer-run Fair Oaks Village Enhancement Committee is one of the most prominent examples, raising money for projects like improving bike lanes and creating more parking lots in the Village district.
The Fair Oaks Parks & Recreation District has invested over $2 million in a downtown revitalization project to keep up with population growth. The construction has driven some chickens into hiding while public spaces like the Plaza and Village Parks undergo renovations. However, many locals hope to see the chickens return in full force when the project finishes in mid-2025. Water recreation is also a draw here, given the location on Lake Natoma which feeds into the American River.
Fair Oaks Village has a quiet old-time vibe in Fair Oaks.
Take a scenic bike ride on the American River Bike Trail in Fair Oaks.
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Larger lots and late 20th-century charm
The median price for a single-family home in Fair Oaks is $620,000 as of January 2025. The price point is higher than the median for Sacramento, which is $484,000, but lower than the median for California, estimated to be about $853,000 as of late 2024. Though some pre-war Victorian-era homes and 21st-century new traditional subdivisions are dotted across the community, most homes were built between 1950 and 2000. Midcentury ranch-style homes and Spanish Revival-style properties are the most common, and lots here tend to be a little bigger than in Sacramento proper. “There’s some new construction, not a lot,” says Toddy Schultz, a longtime Fair Oaks resident and Realtor with Windermere Real Estate for over 20 years. “It’s primarily older homes with a lot of character and an actual backyard with room to breathe.” Multi-family properties, condos and townhouses are common within Fair Oaks, primarily clustered in the northwest corner.
This Mediterranean-style home has a great southwest landscaped front yard in Fair Oaks.
This ranch-style home has a separated two car garage in Fair Oaks.
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Fishing Lake Natoma and biking on the American River Trail
The Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District manages 11 parks within the community, ranging from expansive recreational areas to smaller pocket parks. Fair Oaks Park is one of the largest, featuring playgrounds, a skate park and the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center, which hosts educational gardening workshops. Phoenix Park has a dog park, community garden and several athletic facilities, while the private North Ridge Country Club has an 18-hole golf course and four lighted pickleball courts. On the eastern edge of Fair Oaks is Lake Natoma, popular for kayaking and boating. Fishing on the lake can be tricky, but some skilled visitors have been known to catch large, record-breaking trout. The American River Bike Trail runs along its namesake river from Folsom to downtown Sacramento, and there’s a pedestrian bridge over the river that’s locally known as the Red Bridge.
In Fair Oaks parks your children can take tennis lessons.
There are miles of biking trails along the American River in Fair Oaks.
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Historic buildings in Fair Oaks Village and lots of annual events
Fair Oaks Village, in the center of the community, is full of historic buildings from the 1800s that house locally owned eateries, bars and coffee shops. The Fair Oaks Theatre Festival hosts live musicals and cabaret nights at the Plaza Park Amphitheatre. Other events take place throughout the year, including the annual Fair Oaks Chicken Festival every September at Fair Oaks Park, where attendees enjoy live music, a cornhole tournament, and lots of food and craft vendors. Also hosted at Fair Oaks Park, Food Truck Mania takes place on the first Thursday of every month from April to November, featuring some of the top food trucks in the area. Just outside the community on Sunrise Boulevard, there are big box stores, national retailers and the Sunrise Mall.
There are many shops residents can visit in Fair Oaks.
Sunflower Drive-In is a popular vegan restaurant in Fair Oaks known for their delicious burgers.
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Sought-after San Juan Unified Schools
San Juan Unified School District serves Fair Oaks and several other Sacramento-area towns, with over 38,000 students spread across 68 schools. San Juan Unified earns a B-plus overall from Niche. Bella Vista High is a top-rated high school in the area with an A-minus rating, offering an engineering pathway and a Japanese language program. Private options within Fair Oaks include the Sacramento Waldorf School, which serves kindergarten through 12th grade students.
Northridge Elementary School serves Fair Oaks students from Pre-K through the 5th grade.
Welcome to Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks.
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Served by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office
The small city of Fair Oaks does not have its own police department and is instead patrolled by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office under District 3 of the North Division. Fair Oaks receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 3 out of 10, lower than the national score of 4.
Commuting on U.S. Route 50
U.S. Route 50 is just on the other side of the American River, across the Hazel Avenue bridge, making for an 18-mile commute to Downtown Sacramento. Major roadways are often lined with bike lanes. The Sacramento Regional Transit District’s bus system also connects folks to the larger metro area. The San Francisco Bay area is about 100 miles away on Interstate 80, suitable for a day trip or a long weekend. Mercy San Juan Medical Center is the closest hospital, just 4 miles away. Sacramento International Airport is the main hub for commercial flights, 24 miles away, with over 41 destinations across North America.
Hot summers and air quality concerns
Fair Oaks often experiences extremely hot summers, with over 100-degree heat waves and more moderate winters. While wildfire risk within the town is limited, there is severe risk in surrounding areas and generally poor air quality due to smoke and other small particle pollutants. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District serves the community. Though the American River borders Fair Oaks to the south, flood risk for residential areas is extremely low, thanks to steep bluffs.
Written By
Andi Sink
Photography Contributed By
Daniel Reagan
Video By
Bob Yukich
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Fair Oaks, CA sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Fair Oaks, CA over the last 12 months is $630,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Beautifully updated single-story Quail Ridge home on a desirable corner lot, just steps from Phoenix Park! This 3-bedroom, 2-bath gem showcases timeless Robert Powell design with modern upgrades including ceramic tile flooring, new HVAC (2022), new insulation and attic fan (2023), and dual-pane windows and sliders. The kitchen was refreshed in 2019 with updated appliances, resurfaced
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Have you ever been to the charming little town of Fair Oaks? Fair Oaks is the best kept secret in Sacramento County! Village at Fair Oaks Apartments is a short walk from a quaint town center boasting unique shops, dining, comedy in the park, concerts, parades and their FAMOUS Chickens (as seen in People Magazine). We offer large one and two bedroom apartments to satisfy all of your living needs.
You will find beautifully decorated Orangevale apartments for rent with the best amenities at The Hills Orangevale. We offer a wide selection of one and two-bedroom apartments with stunning decor, including quartz countertops, wood-burning fireplaces, vinyl plank flooring, and so much more. Each of our apartments for rent comes with state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances, including in-unit
Find your new home at Edgewater Apartments. With duck ponds all around, enjoy the spacious and natural feel of your quiet and peaceful community. You'll have access to top amenities and features including washers and dryers, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and dens. From pricing to features, the professional leasing team is excited to help you find your new home. Contact us today to learn more
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