Galt, California

Geography

Galt is located at 38°15′39″N 121°18′11″W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15 km²), of which, 5.9 square miles (15 km²) of it is land and 0.23% is water.

The city is bordered entirely by unincorporated areas of both Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties.

Toponymy

Galt was named in 1869 after former city of Galt in Canada, now part of Cambridge, the hometown of John McFarland.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Galt has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps.

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Galt had a population of 23,647. The population density was 3,977.8 people per square mile (1,535.9/km²). The racial makeup of Galt was 15,639 (66.1%) White, 430 (1.8%) African American, 361 (1.5%) Native American, 815 (3.4%) Asian, 108 (0.5%) Pacific Islander, 4,834 (20.4%) from other races, and 1,460 (6.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10,113 persons (42.8%).

The Census reported that 23,498 people (99.4% of the population) lived in households, 32 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 117 (0.5%) were institutionalized.

There were 7,262 households, out of which 3,516 (48.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 4,431 (61.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 895 (12.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 465 (6.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 431 (5.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 32 (0.4%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,171 households (16.1%) were made up of individuals and 547 (7.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.24. There were 5,791 families (79.7% of all households); the average family size was 3.62.

The population was spread out with 7,347 people (31.1%) under the age of 18, 2,262 people (9.6%) aged 18 to 24, 6,344 people (26.8%) aged 25 to 44, 5,414 people (22.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,280 people (9.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.4 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

There were 7,678 housing units at an average density of 1,291.6 per square mile (498.7/km²), of which 5,344 (73.6%) were owner-occupied, and 1,918 (26.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.2%. 17,034 people (72.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 6,464 people (27.3%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 19,472 people, 5,974 households, and 4,886 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,280.8/km² (3,316.6/mi²). There were 6,211 housing units at an average density of 408.5/km² (1,057.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.49% White, 1.16% African American, 1.05% Native American, 2.84% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 18.57% from other races, and 5.74% from two or more races. 33.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,974 households out of which 49.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.1% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 14.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.23 and the average family size was 3.57.

In the city, the population was spread out with 34.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,052, and the median income for a family was $47,845. Males had a median income of $38,258 versus $26,541 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,620. 10.6% of the population and 8.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.7% were under the age of 18 and 6.7% were 65 or older.

Fire Department

The local fire department is owned and operated by the Cosumnes Community Services District. Founded in 1893, Elk Grove's Fire Department started with a single hose cart and a small group of dedicated volunteers. From these humble beginnings, the Department has forged a lasting presence in the community. Continued growth and innovation in the fire service has prompted a diverse array of new Fire Department projects and responsibilities. Each year, the Fire Prevention Bureau conducts hundreds of new construction inspections and plan reviews and actively implements annual weed abatement and fireworks enforcement campaigns. Moreover, the Public Education Division coordinates a number of safety activities including "Change Your Clock-Change Your Smoke Detector Batteries" Campaign, the Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Program, the Life Jacket Loan-Out Program and Car Seat Safety Inspections. A new Special Operations Division was formed in 2007 that oversees the specialized rescue, hazardous materials, and disaster preparedness needs for the Cosumnes CSD Fire Department.

As they have done for more than 100 years, the members of the Cosumnes CSD Fire Department maintain their commitment to protecting the lives, property and environment from fire and other natural and manmade disasters and emergencies in a courteous, timely and effective manner. In 2010, Tracey M. Hansen, a 17-year veteran of the Cosumnes CSD Fire Department was named the new Fire Chief by CSD General Manager Jeff Ramos, the latest achievement in a career she began as a paramedic. Hansen named John Michelini as her Deputy Chief and the team immediately began developing strategies to effectively manage the Fire Department during the recession.

Government

Galt operates under an elected council form of government. The Mayor of Galt is peer elected by the entire City Council. Currently, the council members (with end of term in parentheses) are: Mayor Mark Crews (2018), Vice Mayor Barbara Payne (2016), Council Member Curt Campion (2016), Council Member Lori Heuer (2018) and Council Member Marylou Powers (2018).

In the California State Legislature, Galt is in the 5th Senate District, represented by Democrat Cathleen Galgiani, and the 9th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Jim Cooper.

In the United States House of Representatives, Galt is in California's 9th congressional district, represented by Democrat Jerry McNerney.

Media

Galt has had a weekly newspaper, The Galt Herald, since 1909. It has been owned and operated by the same family since 1959, the Herburgers of Herburger Publications, Inc.

The community

Galt is home to many civic groups and clubs. The Galt Area Historical Society is very active and has more than 500 members. The Performing Animal Welfare Society is a place where retired, abandoned or abused performing animals and victims of the exotic animal trade can live in peace and contentment. The Galt Lions Club is part of Lions International and helps the local visually impaired repair their vision. They meet the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at Papa's Pizzeria at 7:00 p.m.

Galt is well known for the Flea Market, also known as Galt Market.

Cosumnes River country holds a very special place among California landscapes. The Cosumnes River Preserve was created to safeguard much of that landscape.

The city hosts an annual winter bird festival, in conjunction with the Cosumnes River Preserve, as many birds winter in and around the city.

Brewster House, on the National Register of Historic Places, is located there.

The Galt Arno Cemetery District is located in Galt.

Notable people