Santa Rosa, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Santa Rosa, California had a total population of 177,090, the 27th largest city in California, with a median household income of $99,060, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 9.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.2x the median household income.
Santa Rosa Quick Facts
How Santa Rosa Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,701 | 177,090 | -1.5% |
| Median household income | $93,078 | $99,060 | +6.4% |
| Median home value¹ | $665,321 | $713,900 | +7.3% |
| Median gross rent | $1,980 | $2,152 | +8.7% |
How Santa Rosa Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 48.7%
- Black: 1.9%
- Hispanic: 37.4%
- Asian: 6.3%
- Other: 0.6%
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 14.6%
- HS Diploma: 19.1%
- Some College: 21.4%
- Associate's: 9.8%
- Bachelor's: 21.5%
- Graduate+: 13.6%
Santa Rosa Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Sonoma County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petaluma | 59,247 | $115,430 | 6.5% | $878,600 |
| 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 Santa Rosa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oceanside | 172,242 | $97,737 | $770,300 | 36.1% | 8.3% |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 175,411 | $111,895 | $740,200 | 37.5% | 8.0% |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | $814,100 | 25.3% | 12.3% |
| Ontario | 180,547 | $88,941 | $607,600 | 22.5% | 12.4% |
| Salinas | 161,761 | $91,908 | $654,100 | 16.5% | 13.6% |
Population Overview
Santa Rosa is a major urban center located in California, within Sonoma County. The total population is 177,090. It ranks as the 27th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Santa Rosa is 41.2 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Santa Rosa is $99,060. This is about the same as the state median of $99,122. It is also 23% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.7%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $713,900. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 56.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Santa Rosa is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 37.4%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
35.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% lower 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 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Santa Rosa, 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 Santa Rosa, California?
Santa Rosa, California has a population of 177,090 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Santa Rosa, CA?
The median household income in Santa Rosa is $99,060, which is 23% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Santa Rosa, CA?
The poverty rate in Santa Rosa is 9.7%. This means approximately 17,038 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Santa Rosa, California?
Santa Rosa's population is 48.7% White, 1.9% Black, 37.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Santa Rosa, CA?
The median home value in Santa Rosa is $713,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.2x.
How educated is Santa Rosa, California?
35.1% of adults (25+) in Santa Rosa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.