Lathrop railroad station 1889, 1889
Lathrop’s story
158 years in pictures
Census counts: 577 in 1890, 28,701 in 2020. The archive holds 10 old photos and papers going back to 1889 and 6 maps from 1915 on.
- 1868Lathrop is settled
Photo: Slamslam102 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Population
42,783
2025 Census estimate · +48.9% since 2020
Typical home
$621K
−3.8% in a year
Household income
$126K
median
Median age
33.9
years
Jobs based here
12,925
Balanced
TownGrade
C−
#454 of 841 in CA
Is Lathrop a good place to live?
Homes are expensive, about $621K for a typical one and 6.7 times the Stockton metro’s $92K median household income. Overall it grades C−, ranked 454th of 841 in California. It also does better than most on incomes: the median household earns $126K. Its lowest everyday mark is in safety: its police reported 90 violent crimes reported to the FBI in 2025, a higher rate per resident than 65% of U.S. towns. Lathrop’s average trip to work is 45 minutes, where California’s towns sit at 28 minutes and U.S. towns at 25 minutes. On hazard risk, just 64 of California’s 1,064 towns do better. Lathrop's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) trails 98% of U.S. towns.
WeakestD−Cost of living
What makes Lathrop stand out
Where Lathrop beats most towns.
A growing town
Lathrop has grown 137% since 2010
18,023 counted in 2010 and 28,701 in 2020; an estimated 42,783 in 2025.
Growth hasn’t slowed: 48.9% since 2020, after 59.2% in the decade before.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Lathrop grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within California), ordered by how far Lathrop is from typical.
Cost of livingD−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 8.4 of 20; 1.8% of households have no car; 2.1% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB+Open →Jobs & incomeB+Open →SafetyC+Open →HealthKaiser Foundation Hospital Manteca 4 miles awayBOpen →Hazard riskearthquakes tops the listB−Open →SchoolsB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors1% conserved landBOpen →History1 notable person born hereC−Open →Civic life1.9 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsD−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Housing market64 days on market–Open →Who lives here28% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Lathrop: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Lathrop, and how to reach them.
PowerLathrop Irrigation DistrictEIAHIFLD · EIA
WaterCity of Lathrop water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet10 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpBy addressDay by addressTown site
SchoolsManteca Unified School DistrictBanta Unified School District2 districts serve Lathrop; which school depends on your address and gradeNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn California you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereSan Joaquin Registrar of VotersSan Joaquin County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2020
ZIP code9533095330 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Lathrop.
Lathrop carries less natural-hazard risk than nearly all of California (mostly earthquakes), trades workers with Stockton and other neighbors and has home values still below their peak.
Who lives here
More children than California overall
Children under 18 are 30% of residents (22% statewide); people 65 and older are 10% of residents (16% statewide). Lathrop has grown 49% since 2020, to 42,783 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate. Lathrop’s median age is 33.9 years.
33.9median age · CA 37.9
| Lathrop | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 30% | 22% | 22% |
| Aged 65 or older | 10% | 16% | 18% |
| Median age | 33.9 years | 39.1 years | 40.5 years |
LathropCaliforniaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
17%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma17%
High school28%
Some college20%
Associate’s8%
Bachelor’s22%
Graduate6%
Women and men · all residents
49% women, 51% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±1.6 points. Across California, 50.1% of residents are women. Median age: women 35.1, men 32.3.
| Lathrop | CA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 16.7% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 13.7% | 10.5% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 8.5% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 13% | 14.8% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 16.1% | 13.9% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 12.3% | 12.5% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 9.7% | 12.1% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 7.1% | 9.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 2.9% | 6.5% | 7% |
| No diploma | 17.4% | 15.3% | 10.4% |
| High school | 27.5% | 20.5% | 26% |
| Some college | 19.6% | 19.3% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 7.5% | 7.9% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 21.7% | 22.7% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 6.3% | 14.4% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
SchoolsB−
On state tests, Lathrop’s schools trail 52% of California districts
Its public schools are run by the Manteca Unified school district. Three of its 8 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
48%of CA districts it outscoresB−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mossdale ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades K–8 | Grades K–8 | 1,087 | – |
| Lathrop HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,486 | B+ |
| River Islands Technology Academy IITop results in townGrades K–8 | Grades K–8 | 954 | A− |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within CA on state tests and graduation
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B−
Lathrop faces a low natural-hazard risk, led by earthquakes
FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk lower than 98% of California towns, with expected losses of about $48 per resident a year; that rating is what its B− for hazard risk is built on.
The FEMA risk score in Lathrop is 32 of 100. One flood insurance claim has been paid in Lathrop since 2006.
32risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
EarthquakesInland floodingHeat waves
1
paid flood claims since 2006
1
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
Lathrop has mild winters and hot summers
Lathrop has mild winters and hot summers, with very little rain. July afternoons reach 94°, January nights drop to 39° and snow is almost unheard of.
94°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter40–59°
Spring48–74°
Summer59–92°
Fall50–78°
Dec 1
typical first frost
Feb 6
typical last frost
+1.7°
vs. the 20th-century average
94°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
SafetyC+
For safety, Lathrop earns a C+
Reported crimes fell from 771 to 559 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
Lathrop reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 65% report less. Within California, it does better than 63% of towns.
35%of U.S. towns report more crimeC+Safety Grade
| Lathrop | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 2 per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 1.6 |
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 10.5 per 1,000 residents | 13.4 | 9.9 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Lathrop2
California4.4
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Lathrop10.5
California18.2
U.S.15.5
35th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
63rd
percentile among CA towns
90
violent crimes reported in 2025
469
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
OutdoorsB
Lathrop has set aside 1.4% of its land for conservation
11 miles of trail in 25 parks and preserves. The biggest park or preserve is Dos Reis County Park, at 43 acres.
#522for trails in CA
| Lathrop | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conserved land | 1.4% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.5 miles per square mile | 1.0 | 0.4 |
1.4%
conserved · 190 of 13,381 acres
11 mi
of trails · 0.5 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Lathrop Generations Center | 0.6 mi | 7 |
| 2. Mossdale Landing Community Park | 0.5 mi | 18 |
| 3. Apolinar Sanglang Park | 0.5 mi | 9 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
HousingCost of living grade D−
For cost of living, Lathrop earns a D−
The typical value, about $621K, is 12% below its June 2022 peak.
85% of households own their home in Lathrop. The typical Lathrop home is worth about $621,000, down 3.8% in a year, 19% below the California typical home.
$621KZillow home value
| Lathrop | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,570 a month | $1,895 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 85% | 64% | 73% |
Typical home value
Lathrop$621K
California$762K
Market temperature
64
days on market
98.9%
sale-to-list price
−3.8%
value change, 1 year
32
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
HealthB
Residents of Lathrop are healthier than 64% of U.S. towns
Against the 4,911 U.S. towns with household incomes like Lathrop’s, it is less healthy than 79%: its national edge comes with its incomes.
Lathrop beats the California average on 5 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 3. 70% of Lathrop adults had a checkup this year.
64%healthier than U.S. townsBHealth Grade
| Lathrop | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 70% | 72% | 79% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 22% | 23% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 31% | 35% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 40% | 35% | 36% |
32 measures vs. California
5 better24 too close to call3 worse
| What stands out | Lathrop | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 4.4% | 6.4% |
| Fewer adults with heart disease | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| More adults facing food insecurity | 20.6% | 17.9% |
Kaiser Foundation Hospital Manteca
4 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: mental health
52nd
percentile among CA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B+
Most working residents commute out of Lathrop
Lathrop has about as many jobs (12,925) as working residents, but only 786 people both live and work here. The average commute takes 45.2 minutes, against 28.7 across California.
Most working residents leave Lathrop for work: only 6% work in town. Since 2013, Lathrop has added 7,040 jobs, to 12,925 in 2023. The top destinations are Stockton (11%), Tracy (7%) and Manteca (5%).
6%work in town
| Lathrop | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $126,000 | $95,000 | $80,000 |
| Below the poverty line | 7.1% | 10% | 9.6% |
| Work from home | 14% | 14% | 11% |
Where working residents work
In Lathrop6%
Stockton11%
Tracy7%
Manteca5%
San Jose5%
34 mi
median commute distance
12,925
jobs based in Lathrop
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
B+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 67% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Nearby attractions
All 200 attractions →Mount Diablo and 17 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Lathrop. Close and well known come first.
33 mi MountainMount Diablo
10 mi Stadium & arenaAdventist Health Arena
38 mi MuseumMission San José
11 mi MuseumHaggin Museum
10 mi MuseumUSS Lucid39 mi Canyon & gorgeNiles CanyonSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Mount Diablo: Trurl66, Public domain · Adventist Health Arena: Christopher Bauer, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mission San José: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Haggin Museum: Bluelight999, CC BY-SA 4.0 · USS Lucid: U.S. Navy photo, Public domain
_entering_USS_Windsor_(ARD-22)_at_Subic_Bay,_Philippines,_circa_in_1968.jpg){kind=link}
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Lathrop
20pages on Lathrop
The big questions
SchoolsB−Behind 52% of CA districts · 8 schoolsSafetyC+2 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthBBetter than CA on 5 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingD−$621K typical home · down 3.8% in a yearWork & commuteB+$126K median household income · 12,925 jobs hereNatural hazardsB−FEMA risk higher than 32% of U.S. communities · earthquakes
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
4 within 15 miles of the center of Lathrop
Teachers College of San JoaquinUniversity or college · Public · Stockton8.4 miUniversity of the PacificUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Stockton11.9 mi$57,080 tuitionSan Joaquin Delta CollegeCommunity college · Public · Stockton12.9 mi$1,180 in-state tuition
About 6 of every 100 Lathrop residents are enrolled in college, against 8 across California.
About Lathrop
City in California
Lathrop (, LAY-thrəp) is a city located 10 miles (16 km) south of Stockton in San Joaquin County, California, United States. The 2020 census reported that Lathrop's population was 28,701. The city is located in Northern California at the intersection of Interstate 5 and California State Route 120, in the San Joaquin Valley.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1868
- Area
- 23 sq mi
- Elevation
- 23 ft
- ZIP code
- 95330
- Area code
- 209
Lathrop’s neighbors
2 towns share a border with Lathrop.
French CampMantecaLathrop
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lathrop | #454 | C− | D− | C+ | B− | B |
| French Camp | #439 | C | C− | — | B− | B− |
| Manteca | #516 | C− | D− | C | B− | B |
French Camp reports no FBI crime data of its own. Compare Lathrop with a neighbor →
Questions about Lathrop
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Lathrop, CA a good place to live?
Lathrop grades C− overall, better than 24% of U.S. towns and #454 of 841 in California. It grades B for health, C+ for safety and B− for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is Lathrop, CA safe?
Within California, it does better than 63% of towns.
Is Lathrop, CA expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D−.