Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Sacramento, California
State California
City Sacramento
County1 Sacramento
City Population (2005)2 445,287 1.3% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 35 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 35 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 7
City Size Classification - Population Mid
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Sacramento
State Population (2005)2 35,278,768
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Heather Fargo
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://cityofsacramento.org/council/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 916-808-5300
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, March 4, 2008
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06   Yes
State Governor Name Arnold Schwarzenegger
State/Governor Website http://www.state.ca.us/state/portal/myca_homepage.jsp
State/Governor Contact Information 916-445-2841
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.35    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 18.7%    
     Disability Status 17.4% 52  
     Emphysema 1.14% 26  
     Cardiovascular Disease 23.23% 25  
     Diabetes 4.87% 25  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.51% 39  
     Adult Asthma 7.86% 27  
     Adult Obesity 20.9%   30
     People Without Health Insurance 19.0%   47
     Age: Children under 5 years 8.5% 59  
     Age: 65 years and over 9.0% 14  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 26.0% 42  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 23.3% 19  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 30.0% 58  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 8.4% 40  
     Individuals Below Poverty 17.8% 38  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 29.5% 50  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 60.5% 39  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 37.2% 56  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 36.3 (of 51) 47  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 107,796,715 pounds   43
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 51,717,653 pounds 29
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 5,264,294 pounds 31
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 778,603,113 pounds 40
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 535,867,323 pounds 33
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 38.7 grams 25
Number of Superfund Sites in County 4 sites 53  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.989 tons per person 22
Recycling Rate (1997) 30.0% 18
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 54,995,884 tons 50
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.5 tons/person 40
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 21,766,226 tons 1
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 39.6% 6
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 1.5% 25
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 51.7% 38
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) 32.0% 7
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    2.6***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 200 tons   4
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 10,800 tons   9
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 31,312,000 tons   18
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 0.0 pounds   1
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 29.2 days 60  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 19.5 PM2.5 68  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 12.5 PM2.5 32  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 28.5 days 59  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 15.9 PM2.5 65  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 12.4 PM2.5 31  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 4 ppm 42  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.018 ppm 30  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 28 ug/m3 38  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.001 ppm 2  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 52 days 48  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    2.6***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Lower Sacramento ---  
# of Units in Watershed 11 units 55  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 11 units 51  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 11 unit 22  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 100.0% 56  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 0.0% 1  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 17.52 inches 54  
Water Area Total, square miles 2,895 square miles 20  
Water Area Inland, square miles 2,674 square miles 15  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 222 square miles 23  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Sacramento ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 59 years 11  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 58 days 54  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Sacramento ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 50 years 46  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) Trace (Not Available)  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 45,900,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 1,130,000,000 gallons/day 39  
Ground water, gallons/day 14,700,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Surface water, gallons/day 31,300,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Irrigation, gallons/day 28,900,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Public Supply, gallons/day 5,740,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Industrial, gallons/day 802,000,000 gallons/day 15  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 9,630,000,000 gallons/day 12  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 25,500,000,000 gallons/day 1  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier City of Sacramento ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 436,245 people 43  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 17 contaminants 38  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 15  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 4 contaminants 37  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 4 contaminants 34  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 49  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 13 contaminants 46  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 43  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 3 contaminants 10  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 9 contaminants 44  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 33  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 17 contaminants 38  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 15  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 145 contaminants 20  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 114 contaminants 21  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 31 contaminants 16  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 3.1    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 4,189.2 people per square mile 24  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 1,687.5 housing units per square mile 24  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 23.4 minutes 39  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 22.3 minutes 38  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 16.3% 10  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 4.6% 33  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 2.8% 43  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 2.9% 28  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 114.6 62  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 85.7 MV registrations   28
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 79.3%   45
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 53.0 MV registrations   43
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.34 MV registrations   42
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 169,549 miles   50
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.247%   13
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 50.5%   8
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.01 miles   4
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 5.61 miles   2
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $9,349,000,000   51
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $55,140 per mile   42
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 56.7%   28
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 22.0 hours per person 28  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $374 per person 28  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $619,000,000 30  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 15 gallons per person 31  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $39,381 33  
Median Household Income (2000) $37,049 42  
Per capita income (2004) $20,304 47  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $18,721 54  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 15.2% 42  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 20.3% 51  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 17.8% 38  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 8.5% 64  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 29.5% 50  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 17,863 people 30  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 5.2% 33  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 8.4% 40  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 4.7% 45  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 7.9% 49  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 10.3% 21  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 6.0% 21  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Higher Than Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $6.75 per hour 10  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 76,647 kids (0.2% of total pop.) 38  
Largest School District Enrollment 52,734 kids (0.1% of total pop.) 40  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 60.5% 39  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 70.0% 12  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 76.7% 54  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 26.5% 44  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 26% 42  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Flunked Out   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Good   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Poor   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 169,582 units 37  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 46.9% 33  
Cost of Living: Housing 165.5 58  
Cost of Living: Utilities 111.9 48  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 103.5 49  
Cost of Living: Overall 133.8 59  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 60.01%   32
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 35.10%   50
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 49.20%   50
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 25.9%   41
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 7,289.5 incidents per 100,000 people 49  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 1,050.0 incidents per 100,000 people 47  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 6,239.5 incidents per 100,000 people 48  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 7,204.5 incidents per 100,000 people 47  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 1.6 parks per square mile 14  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 20.6 park acres per city square mile 34  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 9.1 acres 33  
Parkland as % of City Area 8.2% 22  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $102 per resident 32  
Total City Tree Canopy % 7.5% 37  
Total City Urbanized Area % 59.8% 42  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users Yes ---  
Disability Advisory Committees Yes ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Yes ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 3.1    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.51% 39
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 7.86% 27
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.01% 20
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.14% 26
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 23.23% 25
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.87% 25  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 20.9% 30
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 10.9% 44
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 19.0% 45
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 5.5% 7
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 175.7 8
Cost of Living: Health 167.0 71  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 18.5% 44
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 19.0% 47
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 2.7% 35
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.5% 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 18 farms 13
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 4 markets 54
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 3 restaurants 16
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 2 grocery stores 26
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 3 other sources 24
Cost of Living: Food 121.6 68
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 67.5% 28
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 45.1% 52
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 2.3    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 4 programs   1
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by Only One or More Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 1,000 kW   3
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 1,000 kW   3
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds Support Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 20%   4
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2028   21
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings LEED Required   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 31.2%   7
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 49 years 27
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 73% 5
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.9 mph 47
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.2 mph 53
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.9 mph 16
Heating Degree Days 2,749 days 14
Cooling Degree Days 1,237 days 36
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 12 years 59
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 82% 40
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 46% 9
Elevation, feet 30 feet 9
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 445,287 35 (of 72 in EDN study) 1.3% of state population
City Population (2000) 407,018 40 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 35,278,768 1 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region West ---  
EPA Region 9 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 97.0 square miles 44 0.1% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 155,973 square miles 3  
Watershed Name Lower Sacramento ---  
Elevation, feet 30 ft. (9.1 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 46.3°F (7.9°C) 18
Average Daily Temperature - July 75.4°F (24.1°C) 30  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 32.1 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 74.5% 35  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 9.0% 59  
Under 5 years of age 39,031 kids (8.5% of total pop.) 28  
One Race-White % (2005) 45.7% 53  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 54.3% 20  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 25.1% 23  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 37.2% 17  
Largest School District Name Sacramento City Unified ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network