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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Petaluma

California · 54,548 residents · 14.415 sq mi
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The short version

Petaluma is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $61,679. Population has grown 26% since 1990. Median home value is $282,800. Poverty is rare here, at 6.0% of residents. Households here earn about 30% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 37.1
US median: 35.2
More educated
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
54,548
+26%since 1990
from 43,184 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,784 / sq mi
+26%since 1990
from 2,996 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
37.1
+9%since 1990
from 34.0 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
41K47K52K57K63K1990201020202024Petaluma
202459K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,679
+14%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $40,926 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,087
+58%since 1990
from $17,170 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
6.0%
+1.8 ptssince 1990
from 4.2% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$282,800
+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $204,300 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$946
+1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $709 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
70.1%
+3.1 ptssince 1990
from 66.9% in 1990
29.9% rent
Afford Score
4.6
−8%since 1990
from 5.0 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Petaluma on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic92.5%(39,939)
Black1.2%(535)
Hispanic / Latino8.8%(3,809)
Asian3.4%(1,455)
Diversity Score33.7%(14,537)
2000
White, non-Hispanic77%(41,996)
Black1.1%(581)
Hispanic / Latino14.6%(7,985)
Asian3.8%(2,089)
Diversity Score42.4%(23,121)
Diversity Score
42
+26%since 1990
from 34 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.1%
+5.8 ptssince 1990
from 24.4% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
85.9%
−0.4 ptssince 1990
from 86.4% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
9.3%
+1.6 ptssince 1990
from 7.7% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.3 min
−1%since 1990
from 26.6 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Petaluma

Brookhaven
Pop 59,643
Wellington
Pop 62,662
Jupiter
Pop 62,350
Marana
Pop 65,523
Places similar to Petaluma
Head to head

Compare Petaluma to nearby cities

PETALUMA VS
Rohnert Park
Income$99,273+61%
Home value$666,300+136%
Population44,811−25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PETALUMA VS
Sonoma
Income$98,527+60%
Home value$970,500+243%
Population10,537−82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PETALUMA VS
Novato
Income$115,736+88%
Home value$1,032,500+265%
Population51,947−13%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PETALUMA VS
Santa Rosa
Income$99,060+61%
Home value$713,900+152%
Population179,437+201%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Petaluma, California?

Petaluma, California has about 54,548 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Petaluma, California?

The typical household in Petaluma, California earns about $61,679 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Petaluma, California expensive?

In Petaluma, California, the median home is worth about $282,800, and the typical rent is about $946 a month.

How educated are people in Petaluma, California?

About 30.1% of adults age 25 and over in Petaluma, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Petaluma, California?

About 6.0% of people in Petaluma, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Petaluma, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Petaluma, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 11,364 residents, a change of about 26 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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