Elk Grove is a city in Sacramento County, California, immediately south of the state capital and part of the greater Sacramento metropolitan area. The city counted 176,124 residents in the 2020 census, making it one of the largest cities in the Sacramento region and among the most populous suburbs in the state. The community has deep roots. The Elk Grove elementary school district was formed in 1866, among the oldest in California, and the area grew around a railroad and agricultural economy before transforming into a major suburb in the late 20th century. Elk Grove incorporated as a city in 2000, formalizing its emergence as a distinct Sacramento-area community with its own identity and services. Elk Grove encompasses a mix of older and newer neighborhoods. The historic Old Town district preserves the city's early commercial core, while master-planned communities such as Laguna West, Lakeside, and Stonelake surround lakes and feature newer homes, parks, and trails. State Route 99 runs through the heart of the city, and Interstate 5 borders its western edge, shaping the pattern of commercial and residential development. Public education is provided by the Elk Grove Unified School District, one of California's largest, serving tens of thousands of students across dozens of schools. The Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and the Cosumnes River Preserve lie nearby, offering wetland trails, birding, and open space that contrast with the city's suburban growth. Elk Grove's location keeps downtown Sacramento, state government, and the airport within a short drive, while its parks, schools, and family-oriented neighborhoods have made it a sought-after address in the region, with a diverse population and a growing local commercial base along its main corridors.