As of the census of 2000, there were 26,705 people, 9,856 households, and 7,116 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,663.5 people per square mile (1,028.0/km²). There were 10,098 housing units at an average density of 1,007.2/sq mi (388.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.52% White, 1.13% African American, 1.04% Native American, 2.46% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 3.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.80% of the population.
There were 9,856 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $53,371, and the median income for a family was $60,822. Males had a median income of $43,712 versus $31,510 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,658. About 5.1% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 112 or over.
Orangevale can be reached from the following freeway exits:
Interstate 80: Greenback Lane (Exit 98, 6 miles east of the exit), Sierra College Boulevard (Exit 109, 9 miles south of the exit)
U.S. Route 50: Hazel Avenue (Exit 21, 3 miles north of the exit)
Public transportation is provided by the Sacramento Regional Transit. One local route (Route 24) is available Mondays to Saturdays from Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights. Three express buses (Routes 106, 107, 109) are available only from Mondays to Fridays. Routes 106 and 107 travel from Orangevale to the Watt/I-80 light rail station via Citrus Heights, while Route 109 travels directly to Downtown Sacramento via U.S. Route 50. These routes follow the commute direction to Sacramento in the morning, and vice versa in the afternoon. The closest light rail stations are the Historic Folsom station (3 miles) and Hazel station (4 miles).
In addition, Folsom Stage Lines of Folsom takes passengers from the Sacramento Regional Transit's Historic Folsom light rail station to a bus stop that serves Route 24 of Sacramento Regional Transit.