Lathrop is the perfect place for you! The area was first mapped in 1868. The community was named after Jane Stanford, née Lathrop, the co-founder of Stanford University. Lathrop grew rapidly, as it was the last stop on the first transcontinental railroad. The city was incorporated on July 1, 1989. It’s best known today as a railroad town with incredible outdoor attractions.
Lathrop is a nice place to live, with a quaint, family-friendly atmosphere and fun things to do. But before you start moving to Lathrop, you should consider living in Lathrop. Here’s what you should know about this fantastic city.
Where Is Lathrop CA?
Where is Lathrop California? As a city, Lathrop is part of San Joaquin County and the Stockton metro area. Some major highways that go through Lathrop are California State Route 120 and I-5, which help people commuting Stockton CA for work and moving to Lathrop. It is 12 miles from Lathrop to Stockton. The city borders Manteca CA, French Camp, and Banta. Lathrop is close to the San Joaquin River, a popular summer destination for boating, tubing, and wakeboarding.
Public transportation options include taking the local bus with the San Joaquin Regional Transit District or the commuter rail via the Altamont Corridor Express. Bus and commuter rail routes connect Lathrop with neighborhoods in Stockton and cities near Fresno, including San Jose.
Lathrop Population & Demographics
If you’re looking for a small city, look no further than Lathrop, CA! The Lathrop CA population is 28,078, and the population density is 1,416.2 people per square mile. The city has seen an increase of 10,055 residents, or 59.2%, since 2010!
Lathrop demographics include:
- 22% White, 39% Hispanic, 26% Asian, 4% Biracial, 8% African American, 1% Pacific Islander
- Gender breakdown: 51% female and 49% male
- 32.3% foreign-born population
- Median household income: $99,632, higher than the state median household income of $84,097
- Median age: 33 years old
- Educational attainment: 79.2% of residents have graduated from high school, and 21.7% have received their bachelor’s degree
Is Lathrop CA safe? Here are the latest crime statistics for Lathrop:
- Total crime rate: 3,735 offenses per 100,000 residents (44.7% higher than the state, 59.2% higher than the country)
- Violent crime rate: 640 crimes per 100,000 people (44.8% higher than the state, 65% higher than the national average)
- Property crime rate: 3,096 crimes per 100,000 residents (44.7% higher than the state, 58.1% higher than the country)
Though the Lathrop crime rate is high, Lathrop has plenty of safe and family-friendly neighborhoods to settle down in. The Lathrop Police Department employs 35 sworn police officers who patrol the city regularly.
Cost of Living in Lathrop
Lathrop is in the Stockton metro area, so you can use the cost of living statistics for Stockton to estimate the cost of living in Lathrop. The Stockton cost of living index is 117.1; items in the area cost 17.1% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in San Joaquin County needs $85,959 per year to live comfortably.
Typical Lathrop living expenses
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant: $20.00
- Bread (1 loaf): $3.64
- Oranges (1 pound): $1.54
- Apples (1 pound): $1.77
- Domestic beer (1 pint draught): $5.00
- Milk (regular, 1 gallon): $4.93
- Beef round (1 pound): $8.08
- Eggs (regular, 12): $5.08
- Average cost of gasoline per gallon: $4.83
- Fitness club (per month, 1 Adult): $28.33
- Average Lathrop* utilities per month: $356
*This information is based on Stockton, CA, which is 12 miles away from Lathrop, CA.
Source: Numbeo
According to RentCafe, the average rent in Lathrop is $2,548, and you have plenty of options for Lathrop apartments.
If you’re hoping to buy a house in Lathrop, the median home sale price in Lathrop is $658,995. There is a mixture of home styles in Lathrop, but the two most common are contemporary and traditional. You can find dozens of Lathrop homes for sale, ranging from single-family to condos and townhouses.
Lathrop Neighborhoods | Where to Live In Lathrop
Lathrop has more than a dozen informal neighborhoods you can find homes for sale in Lathrop CA. Here are two good options for families and people interested in outdoor activities.
River Islands | Waterfront Lathrop neighborhood
River Islands is located right next to the San Joaquin River, giving every home breathtaking riverside and sunset views. The median sale price for homes in River Islands is $776,000. Many homes are spacious, containing four or more bedrooms and covering more than 2,000 square feet. When you want to go outside, you can stroll down various hiking trails in the area.
Stonebridge North | Family-friendly Lathrop neighborhood
More than 50% of residents in Stonebridge North own their home, and the median age is 52. This family-friendly place is a great place to raise your kids, as it contains and borders many kid-friendly parks like Apolinar Sangalang Park. It is also one of the safest communities in Lathrop California.
Lathrop Weather & Climate
Lathrop weather year round is comfortable. The weather in Lathrop is hot and clear in the spring and summer, and the temperatures range from the low-70s to mid-90s. Lathrop CA weather is wet and cloudy during the fall and winter months, and the temperatures range from the mid-50s to the upper-70s.
The city has a cold semi-arid climate. And if you love to stay active while visiting a new place, the best time to visit Lathrop CA, and start living in Lathrop is June to September because of the never-ending local activities and things to do. Lathrop is near the middle of the state, so it’s often hot during the spring and summer–make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Some common natural disasters in California include wildfires, earthquakes, and flooding. And the average rainfall in Lathrop California is 15.8 inches per year.
Things to Do in Lathrop
While Lathrop Marketplace is the only shopping mall in the city, there are additional options nearby in Manteca, like Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley and Mission Ridge Plaza. The most popular stores include Target, CalNaturale, Ashley Outlet, and Save Mart. Take a look at our top family-friendly things to do in Lathrop CA.
Dell’Osso Family Farm
Dell’Osso Family Farm is a family-favorite attraction year-round in Lathrop. Whether you’re coming for the cherry picking, corn maze, or pumpkin maze, this farm is a community staple for outdoor attractions.
501 S Manthey Rd, Lathrop, CA 95330, (209) 982-0833
Manuel Valverde Park
Manuel Valverde Park has everything for a family-fun day here in Lathrop, CA! With an amphitheater, a baseball field, picnic tables, basketball courts, a playground, a splash pad (ideal for hot days), and spots to run around in open spaces, this park is perfect for people of all ages.
15557 5th St, Lathrop, CA 95330, (209) 941-7370
Mossdale Crossing Regional Park
If you love taking your boat out or fishing, Mossdale Crossing Regional Park is the perfect spot in Lathrop. With a boat ramp, BBQs, picnic tables, and areas to go fishing, you can come out from dawn to dusk for free.
19091 S Manthey Rd, Lathrop, CA 95330, (209) 953-8800
Additional things to do in Lathrop CA
With 25 parks to choose from in Lathrop, the Parks and Recreation Department works hard to keep the local parks in tip-top shape. There are various community events to attend in Lathrop ranging from movies in the park to concerts; you can stay up to date on events with the Lathrop events calendar.
Lathrop Restaurants
The Stockton area is well known for being a hub for diverse and fresh cuisine. Here are the best restaurants in Lathrop CA!
The Boathouse At River Islands
With waterfront dining, The Boathouse At River Islands is a community favorite and is known for being a romantic date night spot. With fresh ingredients and local produce, you can rest assured that your food is top-notch and made from scratch.
980 Lakeside Dr, Lathrop, CA 95330, (209) 932-9986
Platano Bar & Grill
With dishes inspired by El Salvador and Latin America, Platano Bar & Grill has been around since 2006. With authentic dishes like pupusas, pan con pollo, sopa de pescado, and mar y tierra, you will always find something delicious and fresh here.
14725 S Harlan Rd, Lathrop, CA 95330, (209) 983-8881
Milan’s Pizza
Milan’s Pizza has some of the best pizzas in Lathrop, CA! You can also find calzones, sub sandwiches, wraps, rice bowls, and kabobs.
15030 S Harlan Rd, Lathrop, CA 95330, (209) 858-1111
Lathrop Jobs
In Lathrop, some of the top employers are Super Store Industries (warehousing), Swift Transportation (trucking), and Tesla Motors (automotive). You can also find a variety of jobs in Lathrop with the local Lathrop government.
Within a 25-mile radius, Indeed has 10,000+ jobs in Lathrop available, which is beneficial if you are relocating without a job or interested in starting a new career. According to Payscale, the average salary in Lathrop is $96,000 per year, and the average hourly rate for jobs in Lathrop CA is $20.19.
Lathrop Schools
When you plan on moving with kids, finding the top schools in Lathrop CA is essential. The main Lathrop school district is the Manteca Unified School District. US News and World Report considers Lathrop High School to be the best high school in the Manteca Unified School District. 95% of Lathrop students graduate on time and 61% test at or above the proficiency level in reading.
If you’re interested in furthering your education, the top colleges and universities near Lathrop include the University of the Pacific, California State University Stanislaus, and San Jose State University. US News ranks San Jose in the top 20 regional universities in the West.
The Lathrop Branch Library is an excellent place for studying, reading, and even working remotely.
Lathrop Statistics & Information
- County: San Joaquin
- Lathrop area: 21.01 square miles
- Lathrop zip code: 95330
- Lathrop area code: (209)
- Lathrop elevation: 23 feet above sea level
- Lathrop time zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Closest airport to Lathrop: Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK / KSCK), 9 miles away
Lathrop CA Map
Explore more Lathrop CA restaurants, places, shops, and amenities with this map of Lathrop, CA!
Are you interested in living in Lathrop, CA? Southbay Moving Systems has 30+ years of experience, 10+ million miles moved, 1,200+ customers served yearly, and 35 employees. Our team of Lathrop movers are highly trained and is ready to help anyone moving to Lathrop. Call 831-786-5537 for a free quote!
