Agriculture - A Dynamic Future Building On Historic Strengths
Yolo County is located in the rich agricultural regions of California's Central Valley and Sacramento River Delta. It is directly west, across the Sacramento River from the State Capital of Sacramento. There are four incorporated cities in Yolo County: Woodland, Winters, West Sacramento and Davis. Agricultural viability and small city and rural quality of life are important to residents of the County. The County's leading industry is agriculture. Agricultural viability also depends on warehousing and distribution, food processing, technology and biotechnology R&D, and the University of California at Davis.

The unincorporated area of Yolo County has exceptionally productive soils, an excellent growing climate and adequate water supplies which supports its large and diverse agricultural industry. Leading crops are tomatoes; seed crops; rice, wheat and other grains; wine grapes; and fruit and nut crops. The agriculture and biotechnology programs of UC, Davis; the growing cluster of biotechnology firms; seed industry research and production facilities; and large and small food processors; are other unique assets that support agriculture. Traditional commercial production, specialty and organic agricultural production, progressive and innovative farming techniques and newly emerging agricultural and food technologies are all represented in the County's robust agricultural and food processing industries.

The County is seeking to attract additional wine and wine grape production; new biotechnology and seed technology enterprise; expanding the nursery industry; increasing high value specialty crops, particularly organic, production, processing and marketing; attracting additional food processing and marketing enterprises; pursuing production of alfalfa and rice straw products and attracting or facilitating additional tourist-oriented businesses appropriate to a rural county.

Tourism and the Rural Experience
There is no need to drive to Napa for a quality wine tasting experience, or to Apple Hill to visit an organic farm. It’s all here just across the river from downtown Sacramento. Approximately 8 million people live within a one hundred mile radius of Yolo County. The proximity to major population centers, the attractive rural landscape, historic and attractive communities, the Capay Valley organic growers, the Cache Creek Casino, the growing wine industry, specialty agricultural producers, the Sacramento River, Putah Creek, Cache Creek, and other waterways have also made Yolo County an increasing popular tourist destination. For details, visit the Yolo County Visitors Bureau.

Manufacturing, Distribution and Services in General
Yolo County and its cities have a wide variety of industrial and business parks, including large tracts of isolated acreage now available for agricultural processing and support, and fully served land for manufacturing and distribution. Plenty of other small and attractive settings throughout the county for all business needs. All close to Sacramento, all available at competitive rates.

The Sacramento Region includes 2 million people and a workforce over 500,000. A full range of business and personal services, and other educational institutions are represented. An excellent transportation system including three interstate highways, major rail lines, a deep water port, a major metropolitan airport and smaller regional airports provide ready access to Northern California, West Coast and national and international markets. Increasingly high technology and information services are becoming prominent economic sectors in the region. Yolo County is attracting and cultivating new and existing enterprise.  Yolo County Business Demographics. 

Highway Commercial Development
Interstates 5 and 505 include a number of interchanges now ripe for development as gas stations, hotels, and other highway oriented commercial. Large parcels for industrial development are also available. 

Yolo County Traffic Counts
Route	Location	South or West  AADT*	North or East  AADT*
128	Winters, 4th Street	5,900	9,200
128	I-505 Junction	11,200	not available
16	Cache Creek Casino	8,900	11,600
16	Downtown Esparto	10,400	10,200
I-505	Winters 128 Junction	not available	23,600
I-505	Highway 16 Junction, Madison	18,400	11,600
I-505	I-5 Junction, Dunnigan	11,800	not available
I-5	Woodland, East Main Street	41,000	27,500
I-5	Dunnigan, Road 8	34,000	32,000

              Source:  Caltrans District 3 data, 2005
              *Annual Average Daily Traffic


For Further Information Contact:
Yolo County Economic Development Division
625 Court Street, Room 202
Woodland, CA 95695
Telephone: (530) 666-8150
Fax: (530) 668-4029