Economy

At the southern region of the world famous Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County, California stands the City of South Lake Tahoe. More than a century and a half ago, this area occupied by the South Lake Tahoe City was mainly comprised of pine forests inhabited by a few indigenous tribes of native American Indians. However, on 1844, two explorers tumbled upon the Lake Tahoe and the rest was history.

We can say with much certainty that the economy of South Lake Tahoe is greatly dependent on Lake Tahoe. A few decades after the discovery of the existence and whereabouts of Lake Tahoe, many people started coming to the area to enjoy the breathtaking natural surroundings. Whether it was summer or winter, there was always something enjoyable to do and impressive to see in Lake Tahoe making it a popular vacation destination in El Dorado. We can then say that the tourist industry in South Lake Tahoe and other communities surrounding Lake Tahoe started more than a century ago.

However, another event in the history of Lake Tahoe happened which lead to further growth and rapid development of the economy in this area. It was discovered that mines in Comstock Lode in nearby Nevada contained silver and a silver rush soon followed. Pioneers and luck-seekers on their way to Comstock Lode continually passed by and stopped over South Lake which lead to the construction of dozens of hotels, inns and lodging accommodations as well as several restaurants, shops, casinos and many other establishments along the areas surrounding Lake Tahoe including what would soon to be South Lake Tahoe.

Today, the economy of South Lake Tahoe, California is still predominantly anchored on its tourism industry. The dozens upon dozens of hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, resorts, lodges and rental villas in South Lake Tahoe provides accommodations to the hundred thousand tourists, entrepreneurs and vacationers that come to South Lake Tahoe every year. The active tourist industry of South Lake Tahoe also lead to the establishment of hundreds of restaurants, shopping centers, nightclubs, museums and other recreational facilities in the city.

More than 8% of the establishments in South Lake Tahoe are lodgings and hotels (about 138 hotels), more than 5% are restaurants (85 restaurants), more than 7% are specialty stores (125 specialty stores), more than 5% are real estate companies (86 real estate companies), and 9.3% are medical and health services (152 medical companies).

The population of South Lake Tahoe in 2005 was 25,819 people this number is expected to reach about 27,847 by 2010. South Lake Tahoe's economy is fueled by its residents, with more than 92.7% of its labor force employed in 2005 and just 7.3% without employment.

Since the economy of South Lake Tahoe is close connected with the Lake Tahoe, keeping Lake Tahoe and other natural wonders in the area preserved would ensure that the economy of South Lake Tahoe in the future would be bright.