2020 US Census data has been released. What does it show for Citrus Heights?

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Sentinel staff report–
Long-awaiting data from the US Census Bureau was released on Thursday, following numerous delays related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Latest population data for Citrus Heights shows the city grew by 5.1% over the past decade, from 83,301 people in 2010 to 87,583 in 2020.

Compared to other surrounding areas, Citrus Heights grew at a similar rate as the neighboring communities of Orangevale and Fair Oaks. Other areas saw more rapid increase, including Carmichael at 29.2% growth, and Roseville, which saw a 24.4% increase in its population over the past 10 years.

Data also shows the number of housing units in Citrus Heights only rose by a little over 2% in the past 10 years, compared to Roseville which added more than 20% more housing units during the same period. City leaders often point out that Citrus Heights is 98% built-out, leaving much less room for new development compared to cities like Roseville.

Census data also shows Citrus Heights grew more diverse in its population, with the number of residents having “two or more” races listed more than doubling since 2010. That trend was also seen nationally.

“The U.S. population is much more multiracial and much more racially and ethnically diverse than what we have measured in the past,” said Nicholas Jones, a Census Bureau official, in a statement to media.

Citrus Heights is now made up of 68.9% White residents, followed by 19.6% Latino or Hispanic. Thirteen percent now list “two or more” races, followed by 8.3% “other,” 4.2% Asian, 3.9% Black, 1.2% American Indian, and half a percent Pacific Islander.

The Aug. 12 information released by the US Census Bureau was the first batch of data, with limited information included. Data on age and gender, although collected as part of the 2020 US Census, has yet to be released, along with more accessible mapping and statistics.

Population data will now be used to redraw district lines for various local, state, and federal elected offices, including the recently created City Council district lines in Citrus Heights. Data will also be used to allocate federal funding.