Santee is a thriving family-oriented community with a population of just under 56,000. The community enjoys a small town atmosphere with a vision of being the city where people want to live, work and play. The City Council focuses on smart growth and development. Additionally, through the City’s Sustainability Project, Santee is committed to saving taxpayer money through improved energy and water conservation; responding to legislative mandates to reduce air emissions; and implementing best practices for the environment and the future by becoming more sustainable. Because of these efforts, Santee maintains a high quality of life for its residents and visitors, strong retail activity, successful recreation programs and community events, and safe neighborhoods with low crime rates.