In just 20 years from the date that the City of Lathrop was founded, the city grew by more than 81 percent. 

And in just the last nine years, Lathrop – which is poised to explode in population in the coming decade – has grown by an additional 38.4 percent according to statistics that were compiled as part of the City of Lathrop’s draft housing element update that will be before the Lathrop Planning Commission next week for consideration and possible adoption. 

In the same 20-year span since its inception, Lathrop grew at a rate four times faster than San Joaquin County as a whole and in the last nine years has grown by almost double that amount when compared to the county’s comparable population growth. Since 2000, the city has been the fastest growing in San Joaquin County by a wide margin – with nearly 140 percent more residents calling the city home now when compared to just 20 years ago, Lathrop saw population growth of nearly double that of the next-closest city in the county. 

Here are some other findings according to the data that was compiled for the housing update – one of the core elements of the city’s general plan, which is currently being updated:

17.5 percent of the city’s active working population is employed within the educational, health and social services sector, followed closely by 13.8 percent that work in the professional, scientific, management or administrative fields. 

32.5 percent of the city’s workforce drives at least 60 minutes to get to work in the morning. 

Of those who commute, almost 77 percent drive alone compared to only 15.3 percent who carpool with others.

62.9 percent of the households in Lathrop are married couples with a family while 14.7 percent are female-led households without a husband present. 

70.1 percent of Lathrop residents own their home. 

The statistics compiled in the report will be discussed along with the rest of the housing element update information when the Lathrop Planning Commission meets on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. inside of the council chambers at Lathrop City Hall – located at 390 Towne Centre Drive. 

For more information, or to obtain a copy of the agenda for the upcoming meeting, visit the City of Lathrop’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us. 

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.