Rocklin was once dubbed the “Granite Capitol of the West.” It was where miners shipped over 2,000 train carloads of the rock to be used in constructing the state capital building in Sacramento, about 22 miles southwest. At its peak the city had 62 quarries, the last of which closed in 2005. Now some of those have been transformed into amusement and adventure parks and even a music venue.
Today, homes and businesses on compact lots line grid-style blocks here, and multiple parks, shopping malls and seasonal celebrations nurture a family-friendly vibe. “A lot of folks move here from the San Francisco Bay Area,” says Sherri Conway, Assistant City Manager of Rocklin, who’s lived in the area for over 20 years. “They want to escape the congestion of a larger city, and feel Rocklin has a higher quality of life with excellent schools, active and passive recreational activities and low crime rates.”
More than 73,000 people call the city home and, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, that population is made up of predominantly younger college-educated families with a median household income of roughly $105,000. Growth, however, is expected to slow as there’s few undeveloped parcels of land available and no opportunity to annex. Between 2015 and 2020, employment here rose 12.3%, outpacing the national growth rate of 1.3%. The city’s top employers include healthcare facilities, Sierra Joint Community College District and the Rocklin Unified School District. There’s about a 2.4-month supply of homes for sale here right now, compared to a 4.2-month supply nationwide, and most residents own their homes.
Rocklin is getting with the times for easier traffic flow with new round abouts.
The Rocklin train station has an iconic clock.
Peter Hill Heritage Park celebrates the railway with a cart of granite statue in Central Rocklin
Old mining equipment is displayed as art pieces in Central Rocklin’s Quarry Park.
This skater is enjoying the skate park in Central Rocklin’s Johnson Springview Park.
1/5
Homes sell faster than the national average
On average, homes in Rocklin sell after 35 days, compared to the national average of 44 days, and throughout the last 12 months, the median sale price for single-family homes has been $720,000. Likewise, the city’s townhouses' median sale price was $682,450. Prices start around $410,000 for condos and can reach up to $2.5 million.
The City of Rocklin’s Affordable Housing Program includes 264 low-income condos in the Whitney Ranch subdivision, each with up to three bedrooms. A two-bedroom condo's gross annual income limit is $84,900 and $94,300 for a three-bedroom; the maximum Affordable Purchase Price is $271,943 and $306,820 for a two- and three-bedroom, respectively.
Homes vary from Mediterranean and Spanish Revival-styles in the Stanford Ranch neighborhood, to ranch- and Craftsman-style homes in Clover Valley Woods. Many were built between the 1990s and 2000s, and some are semi- or custom-built with Mediterranean-inspired elements. Most sit along winding, sidewalk-lined streets where kids ride their bikes.
This traditional ranch-style home has a brick facing and raised bed lawn in Central Rocklin.
Old Town Rocklin hosts recently built traditional-style homes in clean and comfy style.
Find your perfect home in the Outer Lincoln Rocklin hills.
Traditional style homes are common in Secret Ravine-Sierra Bluff.
You will find great homes in Stanford Ranch.
1/5
Advanced Placement at Rocklin Unified district schools, higher education options
The Rocklin Unified School District, which earns an A grade from Niche, serves nearly 12,000 students and strives to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, growth, respect and community support. The district offers 26 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and according to a 2024 press release, during the 2023-2024 school year, 80% of students who took AP exams passed. Marty Flowers, Associate Superintendent of Educational Services and Secondary Schools, attributes this accomplishment to the students’ hard work and teachers’ dedication. Rocklin also offers an Alternative Education Center, which focuses on independent online study for students who learn better outside of the classroom. Sierra College offers over 120 degrees and certificates, along with distance learning, and is one of only four community colleges nationwide with an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) for those 50 years or older who wish to continue their education. William Jessup University is a nationally ranked Christian university offering more than 70 campus and online programs.
Multiple parks and recreational opportunities
Rocklin manages 37 public parks, many within walking distance of neighborhoods. Most feature hiking trails, sports fields and playgrounds. A few, including Quarry Park, offer concerts and other live events. The Quarry Adventure Park is one of the city’s most popular recreation destinations, built inside of a quarry. “There’s nothing like it around,” says Conway. “You can actually ride zip lines and rock climb inside a quarry, and corporations have their employees compete in the ropes course as a team building exercise.” Conway advises going in the morning during the summer because of how hot it gets there. The 132-acre Johnson-Springview Park is another popular destination.
In the Quarry District downtown, the Quarry Park Amphitheater hosts concerts during the spring and fall, as well as Evenings in the Park, with kids’ activities, food trucks, craft vendors and a free movie. The annual Hot Chili and Cool Cars Festival, showcases a classic car cruise-in, a best chili recipe contest, live entertainment and a fun space for the kiddos. “It’s the single largest event of the year,” says Conway, “and people come from all over, hauling their cars on flatbeds.” Barktoberfest, held at Johnson-Springview Park, is a dog-friendly event full of contests, vendors, food trucks and a biergarten. Walking tours of Rocklin’s historic sites, such as Joel Parker Whitney’s Pyramid Tomb, are offered through the Rocklin Historical Society, and the Rocklin History Museum downtown is open every Wednesday and on the weekends. Locals can attend the Annual Dinosaur Day Science Fest at the Sierra College Natural History Museum, featuring animal exhibitions, physics and chemistry demonstrations, and paleontological digs.
A disc golfer practices at Johnson-Springview Park.
Quarry Park Amphitheater in Central Rocklin hosts outdoor entertainment during the summer.
There are plenty of play options available at Johnson-Springview Park.
Quarry Park Adventures in Central Rocklin provide extreme fun for the thrill seekers nearby.
Joel Parker Whitney's Pyramid Tomb is an historical site in Rocklin.
A student sits and studies at the quiet Sierra College Natural History Museum in Rocklin.
1/6
Destination shopping, multi-cultural cuisine and an expensive auto spot
Rocklin has multiple shopping and dining options. “There’s destination shopping here,” says Conway, “like Bass Pro Shop, plus we have wonderful, independent retail boutiques and large shopping centers anchored by RC Willey and Sportsman’s Warehouse.” Family-owned Clark’s Corner in the Quarry District, for example, is a boutique selling hand-made items from local vendors, and offers art classes on Wednesdays.
Commons and Rocklin Crossings are the two of the major shopping malls, separated by Interstate 80. Residents also travel to nearby Roseville to shop at Westfield Galleria, a high-end mall with 174 retailers and 39 restaurants. Several smaller shopping centers in the western part of Rocklin offer grocery stores, chain businesses and fast-food joints. Granite Drive runs parallel to I-80. “We call it ‘Toy Row’ because it’s lined with Tesla, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche auto dealerships, along with boat retailers,” Conway says. “People come from all over to buy a car here, and it’s the city’s highest driver of sales tax.”
Longstanding eateries sit near downtown and there more diners, along with Greek, Mexican and German restaurants, near the Roseville Bypass.
Serving the Rocklin area is the great indoor Westfield Galleria Mall.
For your next luxury vehicle, you can shop at Rocklin's "Toy Row" car dealerships like Porsche.
Bass Pro Shops is conveniently located in Rocklin.
The Red Mole Chicken is Oaxacan Mexican Restaurant’s specialty in Central Rocklin.
Friendly bartender at CJ's Bar and Grill pours IPA for regular in Stanford Ranch.
1/5
Access to nearby interstates, public buses and bike lanes
Sandwiched between Interstate 80 to the east and the Roseville Bypass to the west, Rocklin is accessible to Reno, Lake Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay Area. “It’s a day drive to so many other destinations,” says Conway, “and some of the best skiing is only about an hour away. Rocklin is also proximate to wineries and breweries.” The city contracts with Placer County to use public buses, which travel to and from Sacramento; the Placer Commuter Express is a commuter bus that travels on I-80 from Colfax to downtown Sacramento. Locals can hop on the Amtrak at the Rocklin Multimodal Train Station, located near the Union Pacific Railroad track, to head north to Auburn or west to San Francisco. E-bike-friendly sidewalk-lined streets and established bike lanes support pedestrians, and an interactive community trail and bike route map are available on the city’s website.
The nearest airport is Sacramento International. “There are no hospitals in Rocklin, but some of the best medical facilities in northern California are five minutes away in Roseville,” says Conway. Sutter Roseville Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente have labor and delivery, trauma and cancer care units.
Low overall crime rates and emergency services
Crime rates decreased 15% in 2023 from the year before, according to the Rocklin City Police Department. Larceny theft accounted for 70% of 2023’s crime, with shoplifting making up 35% of all robberies, and vehicle burglaries 31%. That being said, violent crime increased 24% between 2022 and 2023.
Warm summers, wet winters and flood mitigation
Like most of northern California, Rocklin experiences warm, dry summers and wet winters. “We mostly see all four seasons here,” says Conway. “We don’t get snow, but we’ll get a cool, damp rainy season from October to April. And spring is hands down the most gorgeous part of the year.”
There’s a high risk of localized flooding in Rocklin, especially in the floodplains of Antelope, Secret Ravine and Clover Valley creeks. City officials encourage new development to incorporate design features that result in natural drainage and groundwater replenishment, and the use of permeable ground surfaces like pavers or bricks. They’re also moving existing infrastructure outside of the floodplains to the greatest extent possible. Wildfires have threatened residents here, and led to policies like prohibiting outdoor burning and fireworks.
As a seasoned, Real Estate expert, Justin uses his industry and local experience, knowledge, integrity, compassion, creativity, and work ethic to ensure buyers and sellers alike obtain the highest possible outcome of their real estate goals.
Sellers: You can fully expect to get the highest price in the shortest amount of time. Buyers: You can be confident that you will get what you are looking for at the best possible price.
-Master's Club 2014-2023 -Five Star Real Estate Professional 2014-2023 -Chairman-2015-2016 Sacramento Walk To End Alzheimer's -Happily married, father of four!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
