Rocklin, CA (California)

If you're looking for a good place to raise a family, Rocklin residents will tell you it's a great for kids. But now they're not the only ones singing the town's praises. Family Circle magazine named Rocklin one of the 10 best towns for families in their 2008 survey.

The magazine looked at criteria such as cost of living, availability of jobs and the quality of schools to narrow down an initial list of 1,850 cities with populations between 15,000 and 150,000. They cut the list down to 800 and then whittled it down again to the top 10. Rocklin was the only city from California to make the list.

The secret is out! Rocklin is a great place to live! Read more to find out why.

Incorporated: 1893
Size: 19.87 square miles
Elevation: 249' above sea level
Population: 50,920
Population Growth: 6.3% annual since 2000
Projected Population 2011: 65,114
Median Age: 35.3
Median Household Income: $83,853
Per Capita Income: $39,029
Average Household Income: $108,135
Average Household Size: 2.77
Number of Households: 28,000
Median Housing Value: $480,000
Average Housing Value: $658,012
Median Rent: $794

In 2007, Rocklin became the first municipality in California to enroll in PG&E's ClimateSmart program, a public-private partnership to offset carbon emissions. The city launched the program November 15, 2007.

According the to City of Rocklin website, the city uses more than 2.2 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year and more than 36,000 therms of natural gas, meaning that the city's total carbon footprint equals about 1.6 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

As part of the ClimateSmart program, Rocklin will offset its carbon footprint for all city buildings, the police and fire departments, and all parks and sports fields.

The program is an extension of existing conservation efforts. Other city conservation efforts include:

- oak tree protection ordinance adopted in 1997
- urban forest initiative that has increased tree canopy coverage by 63% between 1952 and 2003
- solar carports at the new police station
- recycling agreement with the Placer County Materials Recovery
- open space and park development

1. Braday's Quarry - the first granite quarry in Rocklin. Was built in 1861.

2. St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church - constructed during 1882-83.

3. Joseph Barundoni Building - built in 1905 by Joseph Barundoni. Was the only building on Front Street to survive a fire in 1914.

4. Rocklin's Railroad Depot Site - originally constructed circa 1867. Was totally burned in 1891 and then rebuilt. Demolished in 1940.

5. Rocklin City Hall - originally built in 1912 as a company store for California Granite Co. Sold to the City of Rocklin in 1941 for use as a city hall.

6. Union Granite Company - originally started in 1870. Was in continuous operation for 117 years. A granite quarry shed built in 1903 is still located here.

7. Rocklin Cemetery - final resting place of many Rocklin residents who died in railroad accidents or of cholera. Earliest headstone is that of Olive Van-Tresse who died on October 30, 1864.

8. Old Finnish Picnic Grounds - a gathering place in the early days for Finnish habitants of the area.

9. Old Quinn Quarry - started in 1873 by William Quinn, who had originally "squatted" on the land. Granite from this site was used to build the Monterey breakwater.

10.Finnish Temperance Hall - known as Finn Hall. Was built in 1905 and was a main locale for social events.

11. Trott Hotel - built circa 1868. One of the most notable early hotels in Rocklin.

12. Central Pacific Roundhouse - former 28-stall roundhouse where trains could be split and more engines added before climbing into the Sierras. Remained in operation until 1908.

13. Wickman-Johnson Home - once the home of James Bolton, who laid out the original Rocklin Townsite.

14. Victorian Homes - four Victorian-style homes at this location are circa 1890-1910.

15. Whitney Mansion Stained-Glass Windows and Door - were preserved from the former mansion and are now visible at the Sunset Whitney Country Club.

16. Granite Stone Bridge - built circa 1900 by Chinese laborers. Was one of 12 along the "Eight Mile Drive" from Rocklin to the Whitney ranchlands.

17. Rocklin Skating Rink (Pleasure Hall) - former hall of the finest ball room between Sacramento and Reno during the early 1900s.

18. Aitken Ranch - built in 1850 by Will Dana Perkins, one of the town's earliest citizens.

19. Racetrack - former site of buggy racing and horse racing.

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