You will find the city of Stockton located in the county of San Joaquin, CA. The two closest big cities from Stockton are Modesto, 31.5 miles away, and Sacramento, the State Capitol, 49.2 miles away.
Stockton is the “farmland of California’s San Joaquin Valley.” And one of the main water systems that flow through Stockton is the California Delta, a.k.a the Delta River, which is customary for house boating, tubing, and water skiing in the summer. Besides being known as the farmland of California, there is an additional motto that the city of Stockton is known by, “Stockton: All American City.”
The city of Stockton got incorporated on July 23rd, 1850, and the name came from Robert F. Stockton. It quickly grew to be a booming town during that time due to the gold rush and people from all over the world (Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe, to name a few) wanting to hit it big here in California.
Stockton has been home to many celebrities including former NASA astronaut José Moreno Hernández and musician Chris Issak.
Thinking about living in Stockton? Here’s what you’ll love about this San Joaquin Valley city!
Stockton Population & Demographics
The population in Stockton, CA, is 320,804 people, which means that the city has grown by 29,097 people since the last census in 2010.
For the demographics of Stockton, here is a breakdown:
- Racial and ethnic composition: 35% white (18% non-Hispanic), 44.9% Hispanic, 20.9% Asian, 11.3% Black or African American, 0.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and 17.7% two or more races
- Sex ratio: 51.8% female and 48.2% male
- Foreign-Born Population: 25.4%
- Median Age: 34
- Educational Attainment: 77.8% graduate high school, and 18.6% of people in Stockton has their bachelor’s Degree
- Median Household Income: $59,504 per year
Since 1999, Stockton has won the All American City award that was presented by the National Civic League five times.
Stockton Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Stockton
While the crime rate in Stockton, CA, is higher than the national average, there are still safe neighborhoods, just like in any city. Here are a few of the best neighborhoods:
Lincoln Village West
Lincoln Village West has some beautiful homes for sale. If you’re interested in purchasing a place in this neighborhood, the median sale price is $388,250 making this an affordable area to settle down.
This neighborhood is close to all of the action: shopping centers, restaurants, and even freeways. Plus, if you don’t drive, you will have access to reliable public transportation.
Spanos Park
Spanos Park is known for being a family-friendly neighborhood that provides everything that you’d need! Whether you love to explore the great outdoors, try new restaurants or cafes, or even hit the mall, you can have it all here.
The median home price in Spanos Park is $580,000, and there are still plenty of gorgeous and spacious homes on the market.
When it comes to education, there are great schools close to home.
Brookside
Homes in Brookside are luxurious yet affordable, and the median price of a house in this neighborhood is $550,000, which is below the average in California.
The surrounding area of Brookside is acres and acres of farmland and is known for having luxury gated communities.
If you are interested in planting roots, consider checking out this neighborhood. It’s not only safe but also provides an excellent education.
Pacific
The neighborhood of Pacific has a median home price of $379,000, which makes this a great area, especially for first-time home buyers. You can find plenty of beautiful homes that don’t need much work.
There are plenty of amenities close by, like coffee shops, malls, restaurants, parks, and medical centers if needed.
Cost of Living in Stockton
While the cost of living in Stockton is expensive and is 4.6% higher than the national average, Stockton is an affordable option compared to other California cities.
To help you get a better sense of the costs of everyday living here’s some information from Numbeo.
Stockton Typical Living Expenses:
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant $17.50
- Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) $7.00
- Milk (regular, 1 gallon) $3.65
- Bread (1 loaf) $2.48
- Oranges (1 lb) $1.49
- Apples (1 lb) $0.72
- Beef Round (1 lb) $5.93
- Eggs (regular, 12) $2.29
- Average Cost of Gasoline per gallon $4.69
- Fitness Club (Per Month, 1 Adult) $32.00
- Average Stockton utilities per month: $358
Incomes, Sales & Property Taxes in Stockton, CA
- State Tax: 6%
- San Joaquin County Tax: 0.25%
- Stockton Tax: 1.25%
- Special Tax: 1.5%
- Average Property Tax Rate In San Joaquin County: 1.01%
Stockton Crime Rate
The crime rate in Stockton is 5,340 per 100,000 people.
When it comes to violent crimes, you have a 1 in 72 chance of being a victim. There are 11 murders per 100,000 people. And for property crimes, there are 3,944 per 100,000 residents.
Though there are high crime areas in Stockton, that’s going to be the same anywhere in the United States. There are safe and family-friendly neighborhoods like the ones we mentioned above.
The Police Department for city of Stockton created a crime map. Click here to see it. The Stockton Police Department has 429 officers on staff to protect the city.
Stockton Weather & Climate
In Stockton, be prepared for summers to be hot and humid with clear blue skies and the winters to be cold, wet, and cloudy. From May till October, the days will range from an average of 82 degrees up to 93 degrees. Then from November through April, you can expect the weather to be as low as 56 degrees, all the way up to 74 degrees. Stockton does not get any snow!
Make sure to bring your sunscreen, hat, and water bottle for the summer, and a raincoat, boots, and beanie for the winter.
To help beat the heat, residents living in Stockton will hit the lakes and rivers like California Delta and go house boating, tubing, and jet skiing.
Things to Do in Stockton
Stockton has attractions and places to visit that are perfect for both tourists and residents. Whether you enjoy shopping, visiting the local museums, or getting out in the sun, there will be something for you in this city.
Top Attractions
- Stockton Arena: Having the opportunity to hold 12,000 fans, Stockton Arena is home to two sporting teams: the Stockton Heat from the American Hockey League and Stockton Kings from the NBA G League.
- Micke Grove Zoo: Sitting on 5 acres, Micke Grove Zoo has every animal you could imagine from monkeys to even iguanas. You don’t want to miss out on this family-friendly attraction!
- Limitless Escape Games: Get ready to use your brain power to find all the clues to escape before time runs out!
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- Stockton 99 Speedway: Do you have a need for speed? The Stockton 99 Speed Way is known as one of the top 10 tracks in Nascar. It has all of the events from Monster Truck rallies and even actual races, so check it out.
Entertainment/Arts/Museums & Arts
- Children’s Museum, Stockton: You will find more than 40 exhibits that allow kids to interact and learn, along with an art studio for kids– allowing them to take time and master their craft.
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- The Bob Hope Theatre: With over 2,000 refurbished vintage red velvet seats and a state-of-the-art sound system, the Bob Hope Theatre is a one-of-a-kind experience!
- World of Wonders Science Museum: If you’re looking for an educational and hands-on way to experience science, this place is for you!
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Parks & Outdoors
- Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: The Delta is a popular destination for residents and tourists to head to the river and enjoy the scenic views. You can go house boating, tubing, banana boating, or relax and watch the wildlife.
- Old Grove Regional Park: With 180 acres, Old Grove Regional Park is a perfect place to spend your afternoon. You can go fishing, paddle boarding, or if you have kids, there is also a play structure.
- Victory Park: With picnic tables, play structures, BBQ pits, and live music (during the summer), Victory Park is a great place to spend your free time!
Shopping
- Sherwood Mall: There are brand-name stores, boutiques, and fast food options throughout the Sherwood Mall, a traditional shopping center!
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- Lincoln Center: Say hello to outdoor shopping! This complex is known as one of the most popular outdoor malls filled with boutiques, high-end restaurants, and name-brand storefronts.
Places to Eat
Trying new types of food is both fun and delicious. Here are the best restaurants in Stockton, CA!
Market Tavern
When you dine at Market Tavern in Stockton, CA, you will receive high-quality food made from scratch. The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, making it the best place to celebrate events throughout your life.
Market Tavern, 236 Lincoln Center, Stockton, CA 95207, (209) 932-8001
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De Vega Brothers
This restaurant has delicious and authentic Italian food that makes people keep coming back time and time again!
De Vega Brothers, 5757 Pacific Ave A140, Stockton, CA 95207, (209) 323-4339
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Prime Table Steakhouse
Prime Table Steakhouse is the premier boutique and is the best place to have a fancy steak dinner! As the sister company to Market Tavern, Prime Table Steakhouse is always serving the best drinks and high-end dinners out there!
Prime Table Steakhouse, 357 Lincoln Center, Stockton, CA 95207, (209) 808-5999
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Stockton Real Estate & Homes for Sale
In Stockton, CA, the median home price is around $463,000. The housing market in Stockton is very competitive, and the prices are up 20.1% compared to 2021. When it comes to the price per square foot, you can expect around $418 for a $463,000 home. While the price for a home is higher than the national average, the cost is highly affordable compared to the rest of California, with desirable neighborhoods as well.
The rent vs. own is broken down to 49.8% of people are homeowners, and 50.2% are renters.
There are so many beautiful homes and safe neighborhoods. Click here for the available homes in Stockton.
If you’re not interested in buying a place, that’s okay because Stockton is a renter-friendly city. RentCafe is a great tool that gives you a better sense of what you should budget for each month. Depending on the size and the number of bedrooms, you can find a place anywhere from $1,200 to 2,132+.
Stockton Schools
The city of Stockton is part of the Stockton Unified School District. There are 68 active schools, so you will have plenty of options of where you can send your kids. The student-to-teacher ratio depends on the school, but on average, it will be 47:1. Here are a couple of the schools that we wanted to highlight:
- Adams Elementary: There are currently 480 students enrolled at Adams Elementary, and they have a wide variety of clubs and activities for their students.
- Team Charter Academy (Middle School): Since 2011, its mission has been to provide opportunities to everyone regardless of their background.
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- Stagg Senior High: You will learn how to be a leader and real-life skills that you can take once you graduate!
If you’re interested in attending college while living in Stockton, you’ll find many local universities and colleges including University of the Pacific, San Joaquin Delta College, and Humphreys University.
The median tuition cost in Stockton at a private 4-year college is $32,475. Then for a public 4-year, it can be $5,307. It’s essential to note that in-state and out-of-state tuition costs can be different.
Jobs in Stockton
The top 3 companies to work at in Stockton, CA, are Amazon, Target, and Home Depot.
- Amazon has 127.6k reviews on Glassdoor, and it’s one of the largest companies in the world.
- Target has over 100,000+ employees and is a nationally recognized brand!
- Home Depot is always around the corner, so it makes sense why it’s one of the best companies for work.
The average hourly rate is $18.29 or $65,000 per year, according to Payscale.
If you’re interested in working for the city, click here for some current job openings, or if you need help finding a job, check out Indeed.
Transportation in Stockton
The city of Stockton has okay traffic, but they have been working to improve the traffic flow over the next couple of years.
If you don’t have a car, then the San Joaquin Regional Transit District is the most common public transportation option.
You can also ride electric bikes, scooters, or walk (depending on where you live), so there will always be a way to hit the town, get to the grocery store, and to your job.
Sports
Sports are a big part of the community within Stockton. Whether you’re watching the game on the screen or cheering them on in the Stockton Arena, people will be cheering on the local teams.
As we mentioned earlier, the two big local sports teams are Stockton Heat from the American Hockey League and Stockton Kings from the NBA G League.
Whether you like hockey, basketball, baseball, or football, there is something for everyone in Stockton!
Stockton Statistics & Information
- Square miles: 65.25
- Stockton county: San Joaquin
- Stockton zip codes: 95201-95213, 95215, 95219, 95267, 95269, and 95296-95297
- Area Code: 209
- Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Elevation: 13 feet
- The Closest Airport: Stockton Metropolitan Airport
Map of Stockton, CA
Explore more restaurants and attractions to discover with this map of Stockton.
Living in Stockton Pros & Cons
- Pro: A beautiful place to call home
- Pro: Consistently growing
- Pro: Stockton has something from everyone
- Con: The crime rate is higher than the national average, but there are still safe neighborhoods
- Con: Hot and humid weather during the summer
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