Cameron Park, California
Cameron Park is a census-designated place in El Dorado County, California, United States and is part of the [Greater Sacramento|Greater Sacramento, California|Sacramento Area]. The population was 18,881 in the 2020 census, up from 18,228 in 2010. Cameron Park is a community located in the Northern California Gold Country of the Sierra Nevada foothills, approximately 30 miles east of Sacramento and 70 miles west of South Lake Tahoe.
History
The original Native American inhabitants of the area surrounding Cameron Park were Nisenan, or Southern Maidu Indians. Grinding rocks and burial mounds, still visible in various locations in and near the park, serve as glimpses into their past. But modern development accelerated in the area when Larry Cameron purchased of foothill land in the 1950s for development purposes - first for ranching, then for housing, a golf course, parks, a lake and a small airport. In the years since, the land has slowly been sub-divided into parcels used for purposes varying from ranch-sized properties to medium- and high-density residential neighborhoods.Today, Cameron Park contains a mix of ranches, single family homes, condominiums, apartments and businesses. As of the 2020 Census, the Cameron Park CDP had 7,748 housing units.
Cameron Park Airpark
Cameron Park Airpark is a unique residential aviation community located within Cameron Park, California. Established in the 1960s as part of the town’s original development plan, the Airpark was designed for aviation enthusiasts, featuring homes with direct access to the Cameron Park Airport via private taxiways. Residents can taxi their planes from backyard hangars straight to the paved runway. The Airpark quickly became a defining feature of the community, blending suburban living with a love for flight. Over the years, it has remained active, housing over 100 based aircraft and supporting a tight-knit population of pilots and aviation families. The Airpark not only contributes to the town’s identity but also draws attention for its distinctive layout, where streets double as taxiways and aviation is a part of everyday life.Geography and climate
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of, of which is land and is water.Cameron Park is situated in an interior chaparral zone or brush zone just east of the Central Valley. It is the closest population center to the Pine Hill Ecological Reserve. Native vegetation includes an abundance of redbud and manzanita bushes, and brush in general. Where treed the native trees are primarily gray pines, and oak trees with some small groves of ponderosa pines starting in the higher elevation zones. The elevation of Cameron Park varies between approximately above sea level, and is not considered in the snow zone of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the east, which are typically between 3,000 and 5,000 feet of elevation and above.
Summers are generally hot and dry, with average daytime temperatures in the range, but sometimes reaching, or more. It can be very dry, with little effect of mountain thunderstorms or monsoonal flows that affect the south and interiors. Nights, however, tend to cool off more so than in the Sacramento Valley below, and temperatures in general range a few degrees below the eastern portion of the Central Valley because of the elevation difference. Autumns tend to be an "extended dry, hot summer" throughout California and Cameron Park is no exception. Winters are generally cool and rainy, with highs averaging and nights occasionally dropping below freezing. Cameron Park typically receives exceptional snow events, about once every few years.
The soil in Cameron Park is reddish and clay-like and usually must be amended in order for many non-native ornamental plants to survive. The soil is derived from Gabbro type of volcanic bedrock and despite its clay-like composition it is good soil and rich in nutrients. Cameron Park is in Sunset Climate Zone 9 and USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9A.
Demographics
Cameron Park first appeared as a census designated place in the 1980 U.S. census.2020
At the 2020 census Cameron Park had a population of 19,171. The population density was. The racial makeup of Cameron Park was 16,242 White, 143 African American, 194 Native American, 425 Asian, 36 Pacific Islander, 461 from other races, and 727 from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17% of the population.The age distribution was 4.4% were under 5 years, 79% were over 18 years of age, and 23% were 65 years or older. The median age was 45.3 years.
There were 7,748 housing units reported with a margin of error of 260.
The median income reported was $79,814, with a margin of error of $5,265.
2010
At the 2010 census Cameron Park had a population of 18,228. The population density was. The racial makeup of Cameron Park was 16,242 White, 143 African American, 194 Native American, 425 Asian, 36 Pacific Islander, 461 from other races, and 727 from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2,056 persons.The census reported that 18,222 people lived in households, 6 lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized. 2,512 households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 3,975 were opposite-sex married couples living together, 790 had a female householder with no husband present, 356 had a male householder with no wife present. There were 390 unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 41 same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,465 households were one person and 622 had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61. There were 5,121 families ; the average family size was 3.00.
The age distribution was 4,576 people under the age of 18, 1,502 people aged 18 to 24, 4,162 people aged 25 to 44, 5,358 people aged 45 to 64, and 2,630 people who were 65 or older. The median age was 40.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.
There were 7,610 housing units at an average density of, of which 6,993 were occupied, 4,768 by the owners and 2,225 by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 14.6%. 12,566 people lived in owner-occupied housing units and 5,656 people lived in rental housing units.
Government
In the state legislature, Cameron Park is in, and.Federally, Cameron Park is in.
Locally, a Community Services District, supported by an elected Board of Directors, provides many programs and services such as fire and emergency services, local administration, CC&R enforcement, recreational programs and parks and facilities management and upkeep.
Transportation
El Dorado Transit provides local bus service, including the 50 Express bus to Iron Point Station.Amtrak Thruway 20C provides a daily connection to Sacramento Valley Station to the west, and South Lake Tahoe to the east, with a few stops in between.
Sites of interest
Cameron Airpark Estate's wide streets double as taxiways leading from the residences to the adjacent airport. Many homes have aircraft hangars that house personal aircraft, allowing residents to commute from home to work entirely by air. The adjoining airport is a public airport and of economic importance to the surrounding region.Adjacent to the Airpark Estates sits man-made Cameron Park Lake. Covering approximately, the area contains a trail encircling the lake, picnic areas, boat rentals, tennis courts and playgrounds. Turtles and aquatic fowl can be seen at the lake, and the Community Services District regularly stocks the lake with fish including bluegill, black bass, and black crappie fish. Cameron Park Lake is also the site of the annual "Summer Spectacular" held on or about the Independence Day holiday. Since 1999 this event has provided entertainment, food, and a fireworks show to attendees. Cameron Park Lake is also the home of "Ribstock," a one-day barbecue festival that features a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned barbecue competition.
Cameron Park was once known as the home of "Sam's Town", where many travelers stopped on their way to and from Lake Tahoe. This restaurant and amusement complex was located along Highway 50, but was torn down in 2002 and is now Fork Lift by Nugget Markets, a grocery store and part of the Nugget Markets chain. All that remains is a plaque noting its former existence.
Parts of the Skinner Vineyard and Winery from the early 1860s can be seen at the intersection of Green Valley Road and Cameron Park Drive. All that is left of Skinner's ranch is a portion of the cellar, a tiny remnant of the distillery wall, and the Skinner cemetery. The cemetery contains the graves of James and Jessie Skinner and three of their sons. The cemetery is located on a small hill just west of the intersection behind a pizza restaurant. Only remnants of a few headstones and fence remain due to the effects of time and vandalism. There are several other "pioneer" cemeteries located throughout Cameron Park.
El Dorado Community Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center 501 with a wide range of services in Cameron Park, CA, including; General Health, Dental Services, Pharmacy, Prevention & Wellness, Immunizations, Behavioral Health, Podiatry and Flu/Pneumonia Immunization.
Notable Parks
Cameron Park has a few large family friendly parks, Rasmussen Park includes baseball and soccer fields. Rasmussen Park features a small bridge spanning a small brook, a mile long track for walking and jogging, two separate playgrounds, as well as the playing fields.The Cameron Park Lake area features a developed lake, that is part of the Deer Creek that flows through western El Dorado County, and into eastern Sacramento County. The lake is surrounded by a walking track. The park includes a disc golf course, tennis courts, fishing, extensive picnicking and wildlife viewing areas. There is a fee to enter Cameron Park Lake.
Christa McAuliffe Park is also a park of noteworthy size, situated between Camerado Springs Middle School and U.S. Route 50. It consists of a playground, benches, picnicking, a skate park, and large rugby or soccer fields.