Petaluma, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Petaluma, California had a total population of 59,247, the 159th largest city in California, with a median household income of $115,430, which is 16% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.6x the median household income.
Petaluma Quick Facts
How Petaluma Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,321 | 59,247 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $109,823 | $115,430 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $834,900 | $878,600 | +5.2% |
How Petaluma Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Petaluma Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Sonoma County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa | 177,090 | $99,060 | 9.7% | $713,900 |
| Rohnert Park | 44,575 | $99,273 | 10.5% | $666,300 |
| Windsor | 26,081 | $133,979 | 5.9% | $801,100 |
| Healdsburg | 11,243 | $103,554 | 11.6% | $950,100 |
| Sonoma | 10,670 | $98,527 | 10.4% | $970,500 |
| Cloverdale | 8,886 | $117,177 | 4.1% | $619,400 |
| Larkfield-Wikiup | 8,765 | $97,071 | 6.5% | $704,700 |
| Cotati | 7,489 | $110,750 | 8.2% | $746,800 |
| Sebastopol | 7,445 | $87,684 | 8.7% | $845,700 |
| Boyes Hot Springs | 7,247 | $101,288 | 11.6% | $783,300 |
Cities Similar to Petaluma
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | $727,200 | 35.0% | 7.9% |
| San Rafael | 60,433 | $119,435 | $1,355,600 | 49.7% | 11.7% |
| Santa Cruz | 61,607 | $115,475 | $1,209,000 | 57.6% | 17.0% |
| Fountain Valley | 56,258 | $115,237 | $1,072,300 | 46.4% | 8.0% |
| Gilroy | 59,004 | $133,107 | $1,027,400 | 29.3% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
Petaluma is a mid-sized community located in California, within Sonoma County. The total population is 59,247. It ranks as the 159th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Petaluma is 45.3 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Petaluma is $115,430. This is 16% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 43% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 46% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $878,600. Housing costs are 20% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 64.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Petaluma is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (66.8% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
43.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.0%. Notably, 15.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Petaluma, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Petaluma, California?
Petaluma, California has a population of 59,247 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Petaluma, CA?
The median household income in Petaluma is $115,430, which is 43% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Petaluma, CA?
The poverty rate in Petaluma is 6.5%. This means approximately 3,820 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Petaluma, California?
Petaluma's population is 66.8% White, 1.2% Black, 21.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Petaluma, CA?
The median home value in Petaluma is $878,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.6x.
How educated is Petaluma, California?
43.8% of adults (25+) in Petaluma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.