Population 2,672 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in River Gardens
Household size in River Gardens
| Period | River Gardens | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.64 | 2.76 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.07 | 2.81 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.65 | 2.82 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.27 | 2.83 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.63 | +0.07 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
River Gardens is a place of big households: 3.27 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Household size has climbed from 2.64 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in River Gardens
| Period | River Gardens | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.5 | 36.7 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 28.4 | 37.6 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.7 | 38.7 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 25.7 | 39.6 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −2.8 | +2.9 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
River Gardens is young: half of its residents are under 25.7, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults in their twenties. Only one other Sacramento neighborhood is younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in River Gardens
| Period | River Gardens | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.4% | 12.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.7% | 12.9% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 27.7% | 11.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.5% | 11.0% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −1.7 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in six households in River Gardens (17.5%), well above the national share of 11.6%. River Gardens has a higher share of single-parent households than most Sacramento neighborhoods.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in River Gardens
Renters in River Gardens
| Period | River Gardens | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 65.0% | 37.3% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 77.0% | 40.4% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 80.4% | 39.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 74.8% | 37.0% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +9.8 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in River Gardens rent: 74.8% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. More than four in ten owners (44.2%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in River Gardens
| Period | River Gardens | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.6% | 9.3% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 8.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.3% | 6.7% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.7% | 6.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.7% of the housing in River Gardens, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Of Sacramento's 61 neighborhoods, only two have a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in River Gardens
| Period | River Gardens | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1984 | 1980 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1981 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1982 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1994 | 1985 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +5 | +4 | +6 |
River Gardens has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1994, versus 1980 nationally. Compared with other Sacramento neighborhoods, River Gardens has newer homes than most.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in River Gardens
| Period | River Gardens | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $991 | $1,199 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,049 | $1,254 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,280 | $1,488 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,441 | $2,018 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$450 | +$818 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in River Gardens pays $1,441 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 36.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Only five of Sacramento's 61 neighborhoods have lower rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in River Gardens
Bachelor's degrees in River Gardens
| Period | River Gardens | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.6% | 30.1% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.6% | 30.6% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.5% | 33.6% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.4% | 37.4% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | +7.2 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in River Gardens have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 14.4%, against 35.6% nationally. Compared with other Sacramento neighborhoods, River Gardens has a lower share of college graduates than most.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in River Gardens
| Period | River Gardens | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.6% | 86.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 75.4% | 87.6% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 77.0% | 89.0% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 81.1% | 89.9% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | +3.1 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in five adults in River Gardens never finished high school, well above the national share: only 81.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. River Gardens has a lower share of high school graduates than most Sacramento neighborhoods.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in River Gardens
| Period | River Gardens | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.5% | 9.7% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 25.0% | 12.4% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.0% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 6.2% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −12.5 pts | −3.5 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in River Gardens than nationally: unemployment was 4.1%, against 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
River Gardens compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Gardens | 3.27 | 25.7 | 17.5% | 74.8% | 14.7% | 1994 | $1,441 | 14.4% | 81.1% | 4.1% |
| Gardenland | 3.47 | 34.0 | 18.8% | 46.9% | 6.9% | 1978 | $1,508 | 9.3% | 70.2% | 5.9% |
| South Natomas | 2.73 | 35.8 | 12.7% | 49.4% | 7.7% | 1986 | $2,049 | 29.1% | 89.4% | 5.2% |
| Northgate Sacramento | 3.13 | 36.9 | 16.4% | 36.8% | 4.7% | 1988 | $2,227 | 24.2% | 83.9% | 7.0% |
| Noralto | 3.18 | 33.1 | 24.5% | 55.4% | 9.6% | 1964 | $1,574 | 14.3% | 73.6% | 11.2% |
| Gateway Center | 1.78 | 31.6 | 5.5% | 85.7% | 14.9% | 2007 | $2,492 | 62.3% | 99.1% | 1.2% |
| Strawberry Manor | 2.99 | 31.3 | 18.9% | 44.1% | 2.4% | 1975 | $1,549 | 4.6% | 81.8% | 6.5% |
| Old North Sacramento | 2.55 | 41.2 | 23.0% | 70.6% | 6.9% | 1955 | $1,392 | 13.1% | 72.8% | 13.7% |
| Downtown Sacramento | 1.31 | 40.4 | 3.1% | 80.3% | 11.7% | 1970 | $828 | 25.4% | 85.8% | 24.7% |
| Boulevard Park | 1.53 | 35.7 | 1.9% | 79.3% | 8.5% | 1958 | $1,809 | 63.9% | 96.1% | 5.7% |
| West del Paso Heights | 3.78 | 32.5 | 17.8% | 28.7% | 2.4% | 2004 | $1,953 | 22.8% | 75.5% | 7.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Bernon Heights, Woonsocket, RI · Arnold Heights, Lincoln, NE · Buckingham Park, Willingboro, NJ · Clanton Park-Roseland, Charlotte, NC · Clifton Heights, St. Louis, MO · Town and Country Manor, Milwaukee, WI · Crown Meadows, San Antonio, TX · Lance, Kenosha, WI · Westfield, Baltimore, MD · Towson Park, Towson, MD
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up River Gardens. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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