The City of Antioch, CA
Antioch Climate Action & Advocacy brings together the city’s story of challenge and resilience—past, present, and future. On this page, you’ll find a close look at Antioch’s unique divides, social and economic pressures, and the urgent need for coordinated climate action. Read on to learn what’s at stake, how local initiatives are responding, and what you can do to support a healthier, more sustainable Antioch.
The city of Antioch, sometimes referred to as “the Gateway to the Delta”, is one of California’s oldest towns. It was founded in 1849 as Smith’s Landing, then renamed Antioch. It is now a diverse, growing city of nearly 120,000 residents.
As a more affordable enclave of the expensive SF-Bay Area, the city experienced booming growth during the 1990s. It is now starkly divided between “Old Antioch” (94509) and “New Antioch” (94531).
Old Antioch is the Rivertown industrial area north of Route 4, on the banks of the San Joaquin River. New Antioch is the area south of Route 4, filled with sprawling new homes, nearby shopping centers, big-box stores, and restaurants.
During the late 2000s, at the height of predatory lending, Antioch became the “unofficial foreclosure capital” of the Bay Area. This hit older neighborhoods hard, forcing long-term residents from their homes and resulting in a loss of community stability. It also widened the gap in property values and school performance between the two Antioch regions.
Newer developments in the south attracted large retail chains and higher-income residents. Unfortunately, North Antioch still struggled with the decline of its original industries.
Old Antioch is the Rivertown industrial area north of Route 4, on the banks of the San Joaquin River. New Antioch is the area south of Route 4, filled with sprawling new homes, nearby shopping centers, big-box stores, and restaurants.
During the late 2000s, at the height of predatory lending, Antioch became the “unofficial foreclosure capital” of the Bay Area. This hit older neighborhoods hard, forcing long-term residents from their homes and resulting in a loss of community stability. It also widened the gap in property values and school performance between the two Antioch regions.
Newer developments in the south attracted large retail chains and higher-income residents. Unfortunately, North Antioch still struggled with the decline of its original industries.
Antioch sits along the increasingly congested Highway 4, which has not kept pace with the exploding weekday traffic from its growing population. Route 4 feeds into freeways connecting Concord, Walnut Creek, and beyond to the West. Most Antioch residents face long workday commutes. This is constant, whether they take BART toward San Francisco, drive west, or head south to Livermore, Silicon Valley, or the South Bay.
Even though residents paid taxes for mass transit development for years, the Antioch BART extension lagged behind other Bay Area communities. The Antioch station finally opened in 2018. Today, due to a snafu with the track layout, eastbound passengers must switch trains at Pittsburg to reach Antioch, adding 20-30 minutes to their ride.
This BART extension was meant to bridge gaps connecting the city to the wider Bay region. However, it is located near Hillcrest Avenue—deep in the newer part of town—which puts modern amenities and transit access far from the historic northern section.
This isolation exacerbates the sense of neglect for those in the older 94509 Antioch district.
These transit investment choices help explain why Antioch is so divided. The city needs more equitable public transit services, especially BART.
Even though residents paid taxes for mass transit development for years, the Antioch BART extension lagged behind other Bay Area communities. The Antioch station finally opened in 2018. Today, due to a snafu with the track layout, eastbound passengers must switch trains at Pittsburg to reach Antioch, adding 20-30 minutes to their ride.
This BART extension was meant to bridge gaps connecting the city to the wider Bay region. However, it is located near Hillcrest Avenue—deep in the newer part of town—which puts modern amenities and transit access far from the historic northern section.
This isolation exacerbates the sense of neglect for those in the older 94509 Antioch district.
These transit investment choices help explain why Antioch is so divided. The city needs more equitable public transit services, especially BART.
In 2026, Antioch faces a myriad of structural and social challenges due to a severe budget crisis, a depleted police force, and state-mandated housing pressures.
The city’s approved 2025-2026 budget includes a $12.5 million deficit. Only $5 million of that was covered by the budget stabilization reserve. Due to economic uncertainty, growth in Antioch’s key revenue streams—sales tax and cannabis tax—has declined.
Public Safety and Police Staffing: The Antioch Police Department is facing its worst staffing shortage in decades. This follows years of scandal and federal indictments over racism in the force. Labor disputes are ongoing, and officers and dispatchers have been working without a contract since 2025.
Public Safety and Police Staffing: The Antioch Police Department is facing its worst staffing shortage in decades. This follows years of scandal and federal indictments over racism in the force. Labor disputes are ongoing, and officers and dispatchers have been working without a contract since 2025.
Antioch is a focal point for California’s housing crisis. The City Council has expressed frustration over state laws (such as SB 330) that require approval of massive housing projects—even those linked to controversial developers under threat of litigation.
Approvals for hundreds of townhomes also received community backlash for failing to include enough low-income units. Critics argue that the developments prioritize moderate-income residents over the city’s most vulnerable.
See the city’s February 2026 budget update.
Antioch faces critical climate challenges, with hotter, drier summers and more dangerous heat waves.
The area also faces significant wildfire threats and water instability due to drought and rising salinity in the Delta. Because salt is leaching into the water supply, the city has converted its existing water treatment plant to a desalination plant. (Source: Kneedeep Times)
Many Antioch buildings are at risk of wildfire. Rising temperatures, more air pollution, and flooding from intense winter storms are also affecting residents. The city is projected to experience more extreme heat days, worsening its already poor air quality.
That’s why Antioch needs climate action now!
Antioch faces critical climate challenges, with hotter, drier summers and more dangerous heat waves.
The area also faces significant wildfire threats and water instability due to drought and rising salinity in the Delta. Because salt is leaching into the water supply, the city has converted its existing water treatment plant to a desalination plant. (Source: Kneedeep Times)
Many Antioch buildings are at risk of wildfire. Rising temperatures, more air pollution, and flooding from intense winter storms are also affecting residents. The city is projected to experience more extreme heat days, worsening its already poor air quality.
That’s why Antioch needs climate action now!
The East Contra Costa Healthy Homes Project is a new community effort to improve housing, public health, and local job opportunities in Antioch and Pittsburg.
350 Contra Costa, in collaboration with other nonprofits, is leading the way to an equitable transition from natural gas to clean electric energy. The non-profit collaborative is funded by California Jobs First through the Bay Area Jobs First Collaborative Program.
It plans a large-scale home electrification and retrofit initiative to transition income-qualified homeowners in Antioch and Pittsburg to clean electric heat pumps.
We’re working with local organizations to design a program that:
We’re working with local organizations to design a program that:
In January 2022, the Antioch City Council became the first in East Contra Costa County to pass a ban on all future oil and gas drilling, production, and exploratory operations. In 2024, Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe signed a pledge to further commit the city to a fossil-free future.
These actions reinforced the ban on new fossil fuel infrastructure. Drilling within the Antioch city limits is largely prohibited.
A specific legacy operation run by Sunset Exploration Inc., however, still exists near the city border. The drilling takes place on open land along Deer Valley Road, between Balfour Road and Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center, near the Dozier Libby Medical High School in Antioch.
While we applaud Antioch’s drilling ban, its protections are diluted because Contra Costa County allows drilling on nearby unincorporated land.
The proximity of the Sunset Exploration site to a school and hospital puts Antioch residents at risk. Toxic air and water pollution from drilling can easily reach hospital patients, visitors, and nearby high school students.
That’s why we need a full countywide ban on oil and gas drilling. Read more and sign the Sunflower Alliance petition for a Contra Costa County ban on oil and gas drilling.
While we applaud Antioch’s drilling ban, its protections are diluted because Contra Costa County allows drilling on nearby unincorporated land.
The proximity of the Sunset Exploration site to a school and hospital puts Antioch residents at risk. Toxic air and water pollution from drilling can easily reach hospital patients, visitors, and nearby high school students.
That’s why we need a full countywide ban on oil and gas drilling. Read more and sign the Sunflower Alliance petition for a Contra Costa County ban on oil and gas drilling.
Antioch first adopted its Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) in 2011. In 2020 and again in 2024, the City Council updated the plan. The plan aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from 2005 levels, boost energy efficiency, and prepare for climate hazards such as wildfires, drought, and extreme heat.
Curiously, the city’s website no longer includes a link to the CARP. The status of the CARP’s implementation is uncertain at this time, as the city undergoes a reorganization.
The plan, as adopted on November 26, 2024, can be found in the agenda packet for that meeting. To access it search the document for ‘CARP,” which should take you to the first page of the staff report for Item J in the Consent Calendar. From there, scroll down to “Exhibit A” to view the CARP.
When you call, also tell the senator to oppose AB 2748, which exempts affordable housing from EV charging requirements.
These bills are described in the Endorsed and Opposed Bills on our Legislative page. Your email or phone call only needs to list the bill numbers; descriptions are unnecessary.
After the Senate floor vote, these bills will go to Governor Newsom for his approval or veto, so you can help make California climate law!
Antioch faces complex social, economic, and environmental challenges, but collaborative action is already making an impact. Whether you’re a resident, advocate, or policymaker, your involvement can help ensure a resilient and equitable future for Antioch. Join local efforts, stay informed, and consider taking the next step as a city climate liaison.
As a city liaison with 350 Contra Costa Action, you can help encourage and support our climate-forward council members to develop plans and allocate funds to reduce Antioch’s greenhouse gas emissions. Together we can move the city toward alternative energy sources to reduce Antioch’s air pollution.
The Antioch City Council is comprised of the mayor and four council members, each elected to four-year terms. The mayor is elected every four years. The remaining council members serve overlapping terms.
Ron Bernal, Mayor
Donald P. Freitas, Mayor Pro Tem, District 3
Tamisha Torres-Walker, District 1
Louie Rocha, District 2
Monica Wilson, District 4 🍃
(🍃 = 350CCA endorsed 2024)
Don’t know which district you’re in? Go to the Antioch Interactive Map, click on the Layers Tab and choose Antioch Council Districts.
The Antioch City Council is comprised of the mayor and four council members, each elected to four-year terms. The mayor is elected every four years. The remaining council members serve overlapping terms.
Ron Bernal, Mayor
Donald P. Freitas, Mayor Pro Tem, District 3
Tamisha Torres-Walker, District 1
Louie Rocha, District 2
Monica Wilson, District 4 🍃
(🍃 = 350CCA endorsed 2024)
Don’t know which district you’re in? Go to the Antioch Interactive Map, click on the Layers Tab and choose Antioch Council Districts.
Antioch’s City Council incudes members who are taking steps toward a cleaner, greener future. As a group, the council has shown a climate-forward approach in recent years. Let’s rally behind their leadership and encourage them to continue to support priorities such as:
Your voice and active support can help drive meaningful, lasting change in our community.
City Hall
200 H Street
Antioch, CA 94509-1285
Phone: 925.779.700
Antioch’s City Council generally meets at 7 pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. But do check, as their website counsels checking the calendar for next meeting time and date.
Meetings are open to all residents—a chance to stay informed, share your perspective, and witness local decision-making firsthand.
If you cannot attend in person, you can watch meetings live online or catch up on recordings, typically posted within 48 hours. The City Calendar lists upcoming meeting dates and times. When a meeting is in session, a streaming link will appear; for past meetings, simply select the date you’re interested in.
Each meeting’s agenda is posted in advance, outlining topics and actions to be discussed. Official minutes are published after approval, providing a record of decisions and community input. Stay up to date by viewing the latest agendas and minutes online.
We’re working to build strong climate advocacy throughout Contra Costa in 2026. Support our work with a donation.
We invite you to help us lead San Ramon toward a brighter, more sustainable future. Together, we can embrace climate responsibility and accountability for our community. Your voice matters!
