Located 26 miles southeast of Sacramento, the city of Galt is slow growing, home to only 26,000 residents. “This isn’t a community that’s going to have 100,000 people in 30 years,” says Economic Development Manager Amie Mendes. “We are focused on slow, sustainable growth and put quality of life at the center of everything we do.” Former Community Development Director Craig Hoffman, who's still involved with the city, says the community is very close-knit. "Our residents aren’t nameless faces in a crowd, which you’re not going to find in many places in the Central Valley.” City officials tout highly ranked school districts, which is Galt’s largest employer, low crime and outsized amenities for a town of its size.
The Consumnes River Preserve is a great location to unplug and be with nature near Galt.
The Galt area is a well known as a stopover for migrating birds.
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Home prices above the national average
Galt’s real estate market is considered competitive and more affordable than nearby communities like Elk Grove, Folsom and Roseville. Throughout 2023, the median price for a single-family home has been around $550,000, more than $100,000 above the national average. Most homes were built between 1990 and 2009. “We haven’t built much in the last couple of years due to economic forces, but we have a high number of properties in the early stages of development,” Hoffman says. “We’re focused on housing diversity, including entry-level housing and move-up properties.”
Emerald Village to the northwest is a 55-plus gated community typically offering three-bedroom, new, traditional Craftsman-style homes with well-manicured yards and two-car garages. Prices range from $450,000 to $550,000. Toward the center and southern ends of town, four-bedroom Craftsman- and midcentury ranch-styles range from $622,000 to $800,000.
After over a decade of delays, the city broke ground on the Eastview/Liberty Ranch residential development in early 2023. The project, which stretches across 150 acres, is expected to include 1,500 single-family homes offering a range of amenities. “City Council has been focused on infill development because they don’t want the sprawl,” Mendes said. “They are focused on smart development.”
Newer homes being built in Galt are on smaller plots of land.
The median price for a home in Galt is $550,000.
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Language programs and technical education at two school districts
Hoffman says the community takes great pride in its schools. The Galt Joint Union Elementary School District and the Galt Joint Union High School District earn a B and an A-minus, respectively, from Niche. Serving over 5,500 students, both districts support nurturing student talents through special programs and hands-on coursework. The elementary schools offer a Spanish/English Dual Language Immersion Program to encourage all students to become bilingual, as well as a music program and an after-school learning program. At the high school level, students can enroll in Career and Technical Education pathways such as agriculture, health and life skills and sports medicine. Also here is the California Future Farmers of America Association, a school-based agricultural education program that prepares students for industry careers.
McCaffrey Middle School has many courses for its students to choose from.
Galt High School is the home of the Warriors.
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Park revitalization, aquatics and additional bikeways
With broad support from the community, Galt officials say parks and recreation are top priorities for the council. “Nobody likes taxes, but our residents voted in favor of a dedicated parks tax,” says Hoffman. Money from the tax will go to improvements, enhancements and revitalization. “Right now, we’re redoing our skatepark and are developing a parks and recreation master plan.” In addition to the sports complex and aquatic center, the city maintains 15 parks, many with playgrounds and covered picnic areas, plus soccer fields and a nature preserve. “Very few cities our size have a full-blown aquatic center,” Mendes says. Walker Community Park has a turf football field and is currently undergoing expansion. “We’re adding three additional ballfields there,” Hoffman says. City officials are also proposing more bikeways.
The kids will always find something interesting at Galt Community Park.
Developing new parks and recreational areas are a top priority for the city of Galt.
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Retailers and a city-run flea market
Galt covers all the basics in terms of shopping and dining in a handful of business districts. “If someone is going on a shopping spree, they’re probably going to leave town, but we do have a lot of commercial retail shops that cater to the needs of residents,” Hoffman says. According to Mendes, the Galt Market is a city-run flea market, which attracts many people from outside the city when it opens mid-week. “It started as a little wholesale market, but now we have over 300 vendors that sell everything from plants to home goods.” There is a mix of chain and locally owned eateries, including a Starbucks and a Dutch Bros Coffee shop on either side of City Hall. “We have Mexican, classic American, Indian, BBQ – a little bit of everything,” Hoffman says.
Galt locals come to Papas and Wings for great food and atmosphere.
Neighbors enjoy an early morning coffee at Cafe Latte Co. in Galt.
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Seasonal events for the community
Every year, Galt hosts the Annual Winter Bird Festival, with a keynote speaker, educational expos with nature-themed art and conservation information and an interactive live animal presentation. During Independence Day, the town sponsors a 5K Run/Walk, a parade, live music and a kids’ zone. Then at night, locals can swim at the Gore Aquatic Center while watching fireworks.
Travel via an interstate or highway
Interstate 5 and the Golden State Highway (State Route 99) lead roughly 30 miles north to Downtown Sacramento. This drive can take about an hour during rush hour. Stockton is about 23 miles south via 99. “Highway 99 and I-5 get busy for people traveling, but we don’t have traffic problems as a city.” Galt has no immediate rail access, but South County Transit offers bus service to the city. “There is also a Dial-a-Ride service for getting around locally,” Hoffman says. Bike lanes and trails run along many of the city’s main arteries and within residential areas. Dameron Hospital sits about 26 miles south, while Sacramento International Airport is roughly 37 miles away.
Below-average property crime, hot summers and wet winters
Over the last five years, Galt’s violent crime rates have risen slightly compared to state and national figures, while property crime rates have typically stayed below state and national figures, according to FBI statistics. “People feel comfortable walking around at night here,” Hoffman says. He also says that families feel secure letting kids ride bikes or go to the park.
Galt experiences a warm and temperate climate with hot summers and wet winters. The city’s risk of wildfire is considered moderate, whereas nearby communities like Folsom and Roseville face a major risk. Triple-digit heatwaves are becoming more common in the summer—in July of 2024, Galt’s police department opened its air-conditioned lobby to the public for a few days. Flooding from the Cosumnes River during winter is the most pressing concern for broader area residents, who are left searching for alternate routes when roadways are underwater.
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