Many people surprisingly ask how many Koreans live in Sacramento.

Since there aren't neighborhoods like LA's Koreatown or Orange County where you see Korean signs everywhere, it's easy to think, "Aren't there very few Koreans there?" However, once you live here, you'll find that there are actually quite a few Koreans. They just aren't concentrated in one area.

One of the biggest characteristics of Koreans in Sacramento is that they are scattered across various suburban areas rather than being centered in the downtown area. You can relatively easily find Korean families in places like Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Arden-Arcade, and Citrus Heights.

In particular, Elk Grove is a popular area for Korean families raising children. Located south of Sacramento, it has well-established residential neighborhoods and is preferred by families who value school districts and living environments. You can also find Korean churches and businesses run by Koreans in the area. There are Koreans living in Rancho Cordova as well, creating a mixed atmosphere with various immigrant communities.

Interestingly, the atmosphere of the Korean community in Sacramento is quite different from that in LA. In LA, you can live without encountering Koreans if you choose, or conversely, you can spend the entire day speaking Korean. There are restaurants, hospitals, banks, markets, lawyers, and real estate agents all available.

That's not the case in Sacramento. Instead, because the Korean community is small and dispersed, once a connection is made, it spreads quickly.

In particular, Korean churches still play a significant role as community centers.

On Sundays, when you go to church, worship, and eat together, asking questions like "Where do you live?" and "Which school does your child attend?" quickly leads to making acquaintances.

The professions are also more diverse than you might think. Since Sacramento is the capital of California, there are Koreans working in state government and public institutions, as well as in healthcare, IT, and self-employment. Cultural events, holiday celebrations, and community service activities are also organized around the Korean Association.

Recently, there has been a gradual increase in Korean families moving up from LA or the Bay Area. The reason is, of course, housing prices. Many people don't want to completely leave California, but the housing prices in LA and the Bay Area are too burdensome, and moving to another state poses issues with jobs or family, making Sacramento a middle-ground option.

Of course, it's not like you can suddenly go out late at night to Koreatown for some seolleongtang like in LA. The options for Korean food and services are much more limited.

However, it's also incorrect to think of it as a city with almost no Koreans. The Korean community in Sacramento may not appear large and glamorous, but it has a unique charm typical of a small town, where you can quickly get to know people after attending a few church or Korean events.

If the Korean community in LA is a large, anonymous urban type, then Sacramento is more like a small, interconnected suburban Korean community. Here, the number of Koreans is less important than how quickly you can connect with people once you arrive.