Skip to main content
U.S. flag

This is an original und secure website

Petaluma

Petaluma, California

  •   State: 
    California
      County: 
    Sonoma County
      City: 
    Petaluma
      County FIPS: 
    06097
      Coordinates: 
    38°14′45″N 122°37′53″W
      Area total: 
    14.52 sq mi (37.61 km²)
      Area land: 
    14.41 sq mi (37.34 km²)
      Area water: 
    0.11 sq mi (0.28 km²)
      Elevation: 
    13 ft (4 m)
      Established: 
    1858; Incorporated April 12, 1858
  •   Latitude: 
    38,2684
      Longitude: 
    -122,6594
      Dman name cbsa: 
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
      Timezone: 
    Pacific Standard Time (PST) UTC-8:00; Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) UTC-7:00
      ZIP codes: 
    94952
    94953
    94954
    94955
    94975
    94999
      GMAP: 

    Petaluma, Sonoma County, California, United States

  •   Population: 
    59,776
      Population density: 
    4,146.8 residents per square mile of area (1,601.1/km²)
      Household income: 
    $75,141
      Households: 
    20,183
      Unemployment rate: 
    9.30%
  •   Sales taxes: 
    7.75%
      Income taxes: 
    9.30%

Petaluma (Miwok: Péta Lúuma) is a city in Sonoma County, California, located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The city's name comes from the Miwok village named PéTA Lúum, that was located on the banks of the Petaluma River. The modern city originates in Rancho Petalum, granted in 1834 to famed Californio statesman Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. Today, the city is known for its well-preserved historic center and as a local hub for the petaluma Valley region ofSonoma County. At one time, the town was known as the "Egg Capital of the World," sparking such nicknames as "Chickaluma" and "The Egg incubator" The city was relatively unharmed during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake due to significant stable bedrock underlying the region. The town's position in the heart of productive farmland was critical to its growth during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Sailing scows, such as the scow schooner Alma (1892), and steamers carried agricultural produce and raw materials to the burgeoning city of San Francisco during the California Gold Rush. In the 1960s, there was a counter-culture migration out of Marin County and southern Sonoma county, looking for inexpensive housing in less urban environment. The old Victorian houses were restored in the Historic iron-front buildings in the downtown district.

History

Petaluma was part of a 66,000-acre (270 km²) 1834 Mexican land grant by Governor Jose Figueroa to Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. The town's position on the Petaluma River in the heart of productive farmland was critical to its growth during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Sailing scows, such as the scow schooner Alma (1892), and steamers plied the river between Petalum and San Francisco, carrying agricultural produce and raw materials to the burgeoning city of San Francisco during the California Gold Rush. In the 1960s there was a counter-culture migration out of Marin County and southern Sonoma County, looking for inexpensive housing in a less urban environment. The city was relatively unharmed during the San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906, due to significant stable bedrock underlying the region. There was a substantial influx of Jewish residents to the area in the first three decades of the 20th century. The community became active in the poultry industry, and some settlers joined the labor movement and participated in political conflicts between local laborists and local socialists. The downtown area has suffered many river floods over the years and during the Depression commerce declined. The old Victorian, Queen Anne and Eastlake style houses were restored. Historic iron-front buildings in the downtown commercial district were also rescued. It is no longer used for the chicken industry, but is being evaluated for preservation and change of use. At one time, the town was known as the "Egg Capital of the World," sparking such nicknames as "Chickaluma".

Geography

Petaluma has a total area of 14.5 sq mi (37.6 km²) It is 32 miles (51 km) north of San Francisco. It is situated at the northernmost navigable end of the Petaluma River, a tidal estuary that snakes southward to San Pablo Bay. A significant amount of the city is in the river's flood plain, which overflows its banks every few years, particularly in the Payran neighborhood. The number of residents that live in a zone of noise exposure greater than 60 CNEL is approximately 4,000. The wettest year was 1998 with 45.93 inches (1,167 mm) and the driest was 1976 with 8.29 inches (211 mm). The most precipitation in 24 hours was 4.29 pounds (109 mm) on December 27, 2004. It has a mild Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csb). Its dry summer is characterized by typically warm days and cool nights with a large degree of diurnal temperature variation. Winter is cool and rainy, with frost occasionally occurring on clear nights. The city has a record high temperature of 111 °F (44 °C) on September 6, 2020. The record low temperature of 16 °F was recorded on November 14, 1916, and December 14, 1932. Although snow is rare, 1.5 inches (38 mm) fell in January 1916, as well as about 3 inches (76 mm) in January 2002.

Demographics

The 2010 United States Census reported that Petaluma had a population of 57,941. There were 22,736 housing units at an average density of 1,569.2 per square mile (605.9/km²), of which 14,159 (65.1%) were owner-occupied, and 7,578 (34.9%) were occupied by renters. In 2000, there were 54,548 people, 19,932 households, and 14,012 families residing in the city. The population was spread out, with 13,455 people (23.2%) under the age of 18, 4,589 people (7.9) aged 18 to 24, 15,041 people (26.0%) aged 25 to 44, 17,273 people (29.8%) aged 45 to 64, and7,583 people (13.1) who were 65 years of age or older. The racial makeup of the city was 84.16% White, 1.16%) African American, 0.54% Native American, 3.91% Asian, 017% Pacific Islander, and 3.98% from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12,453 persons (21.5%). The Latino ethnic groups are Mexicans (16.2%), Salvadorans (1.2), Guatemalans (0.6%), Nicaraguans (0.3%), Peruvians (0,3%), and Puerto Ricans (2.3%).

Economy

Amy's Kitchen, Calix Inc., CamelBak, Clover Stornetta Farms, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma Poultry, and Athleta Inc. are all based in the city. Mesa Boogie and Enphase Energy were also founded in Petalma. The U.S. Coast Guard operates several of its class "A" and "C" schools at TRACEN Petalum. The California National Guard operates an armed forces facility in PetAluma, at 580 Vallejo Street. According to the City's 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers are: the Coast Guard, the California National Guards, and the California Air Force. The city's economy is based on the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay Bridge, which were built in the 1960s and 1970s. It is also home to the California State University, San Francisco, which was founded in the 1970s and is located in the Bay Area's foothills. It also has a campus of the University of California, Santa Cruz, which opened in the 1980s. The University of Southern California, which is based in Santa Barbara, is also in the City of Santa Barbara. The City's top employer is the College of Sonoma and Sonoma County, which has an enrollment of more than 10,000 students. It has a population of 3,000. The top employer in the state is the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Parks and recreation

Helen Putnam Regional Park is one of two parks named in honor of former mayor Helen Putnam. The Fairfield Osborn Preserve is a nature reserve with a diversity of native plants and animals. Tolay Lake is the site of prehistoric seasonal settlement by Miwok and Pomo tribes. The city of Petaluma is located on the northwest flank of Sonoma Mountain. It is located in the foothills of the San Francisco Bay Area and is located near the town of Chileno Valley. The town is home to the California Museum of Natural History, which was founded in 1872. The museum is located at the base of the Sonoma Mountains and is open to the public on weekdays. It also has a museum of natural history, which is open on the weekends and on holidays. It was founded by the California State University, San Francisco, in 1876 and was named for its founder, Charles C. C. Osborn. The park was named after his wife, Helen, who served as mayor from 1965 to 1979. It's located on a hilltop above the city of Sonomas, on the north side of the city, and is accessible by road from Chilenos Valley Road. It has 216 acres (0.9 km²) of land for hiking, cycling, horseback riding and other outdoor activities.

Government

According to the California Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2019, Petaluma has 36,034 registered voters. Of those, 18,779 are registered Democrats, 6,124 are registered Republicans, and 9,281 have declined to state a political party. The mayor is Teresa Barrett, who was formerly the vice mayor. The city is in California's 3rd Senate District, and the 10th Assembly District. In the U.S. House of Representatives, the city is split between California's 2nd congressional district, represented by Democrat Jared Huffman, and California's 5th congressional district. The town is in the California Bay Area, which is part of the Central Coast region of California. The area is home to the San Francisco Bay Area Film Festival, which takes place in February and March each year. The festival's theme is "The City of the Bay" and features a variety of Bay Area films, including "The Matrix" and "The Godfather" The city also hosts the California State Fair, which runs in June and July each year, and runs through September. It is also the home of the California Winegrowers Association, which promotes the use of wine in the region. The region also has a number of wineries and wineries, such as the Redwood Valley Winegrower Association. The community is also known for its winery, which dates back to the 18th century, and has a history of being active in the early 20th century. It has a population of 3,000.

Education

Public schools are managed by the Petaluma City School District. Casa Grande High School has a notable Academic Decathlon team, which has represented Sonoma County for the last 27 years in the state-level competition. There is an annual football game between the two schools' teams known as the "Egg Bowl" The game was suspended in 2011 for fights involving players and fans, but was brought back in 2017. Harvest Christian School is a private Christian school in Petalum, serving grades TK-8. Santa Rosa Junior College has a second campus in the town. The unaccredited art school/atelier l'Atelier aux Couleurs is located in Petauma. The town is home to the California State University, Sonoma, which is a part of the California Bay Area. The school is located on the Bay Area's North Coast. It is one of the largest public schools in the Bay area, with more than 2,000 students. The city also has a number of private schools, including St. Vincent de Paul High School and Harvest Christian school, which serve students in TK to 8th grade. The community also has several wineries and wineries, including the San Francisco Bay Winegrowers, which have been around since the 1800s. The area is also home to several winemakers, including San Francisco's San Francisco Brewing Company and Sonoma Valley Brewing Company, which was founded in 1883. The Sonoma River runs through the town, and is a popular tourist destination. The Santa Rosa River flows through the center of the city.

Infrastructure

U.S. Highway 101 is the main freeway through town. Other major streets include East Washington Street, North and South McDowell Boulevards, and Petaluma Boulevard. The SonomaMarin Area Rail Transit (SMART) rail line inaugurated service in August 2017 and serves PetalumDowntown station, adjacent to the historic Northwestern Pacific Railroad depot near Washington Street. The nearest major airports are San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport, Sonoma County Airport Express buses connect the town with the airports. General aviation is served by the Petalume Municipal Airport, as well as the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma county Airport located north of Santa Rosa. The town is home to the California State University, San Francisco, which has a campus of the College of Sonoma. The campus is located on the edge of the San Francisco Bay, and is known as the "City of the Bay" for its large number of colleges and universities. It is also the home of the University of California, Santa Rosa, which was founded in 1883. The University of San Francisco has a chapter of the California College of the Arts and Sciences, which is located in the town's downtown area. The college has a history of being one of the first to admit women into the college in the 1960s and 1970s. It was the first college to offer a women's program in the U.S., and the first in the state to offer women's health services. The university also has a Women's Studies program, which began in the 1980s.

Air Quality, Water Quality, Superfund Sites & UV Index

The Air Quality index is in Petaluma, Sonoma County, California = 92.6. These Air Quality index is based on annual reports from the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The number of ozone alert days is used as an indicator of air quality, as are the amounts of seven pollutants including particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and volatile organic chemicals. The Water Quality Index is 30. A measure of the quality of an area’s water supply as rated by the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The EPA has a complex method of measuring the watershed quality, using 15 indicators such as pollutants, turbidity, sediments, and toxic discharges. The Superfund Sites Index is 20. Higher is better (100=best). Based upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts. The UV Index in Petaluma = 4.9 and is a measure of an area's exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. This is most often a combination of sunny weather, altitude, and latitude. The UV Index has been defined by the WHO (www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-the-ultraviolet-(uv)-index) and is uniform worldwide.

Employed

The most recent city population of 59,776 individuals with a median age of 38.8 age the population grows by 0.98% in Petaluma, Sonoma County, California population since 2000 and are distributed over a density of 4,146.8 residents per square mile of area (1,601.1/km²). There are average 2.69 people per household in the 20,183 households with an average household income of $75,141 a year. The unemployment rate in Alabama is 9.30% of the available work force and has dropped -5.86% over the most recent 12-month period and the projected change in job supply over the next decade based on migration patterns, economic growth, and other factors will increase by 18.98%. The number of physicians in Petaluma per 100,000 population = 242.3.

Weather

The annual rainfall in Petaluma = 25.2 inches and the annual snowfall = 0 inches. The annual number of days with measurable precipitation (over .01 inch) = 69. The average number of days per year that are predominantly sunny = 260. 82 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily high temperature for the month of July and 38 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily low temperature for the month of January. The Comfort Index (higher=better) is 46, where higher values mean a more pleasant climate. The Comfort Index measure recognizes that humidity by itself isn't the problem. (Have you noticed nobody ever complains about the weather being 'cold and humid?) It's in the summertime that we notice the humidity the most, when it's hot and muggy. Our Comfort Index uses a combination of afternoon summer temperature and humidity to closely predict the effect that the humidity will have on people.

Median Home Cost

The percentage of housing units in Petaluma, Sonoma County, California which are owned by the occupant = 68.38%. A housing unit is a house, apartment, mobile home, or room occupied as separate living quarters. The average age of homes = 31 years with median home cost = $392,240 and home appreciation of -7.58%. This is the value of the years most recent home sales data. Its important to note that this is not the average (or arithmetic mean). The median home price is the middle value when you arrange all the sales prices of homes from lowest to highest. This is a better indicator than the average, because the median is not changed as much by a few unusually high or low values. The property tax rate of $6.80 shown here is the rate per $1,000 of home value. If for simplification for example the tax rate is $14.00 and the home value is $250,000, the property tax would be $14.00 x ($250,000/1000), or $3500. This is the 'effective' tax rate.

Study

The local school district spends $6,461 per student. There are 16.6 students for each teacher in the school, 3085 students for each Librarian and 1028 students for each Counselor. 9.33% of the area’s population over the age of 25 with an Associate Degree or other 2-year college degree, 20.84% with a master’s degree, Ph.D. or other advanced college degree and 9.57% with high school diplomas or high school equivalency degrees (GEDs).

  • Petaluma's population in Sonoma County, California of 3,871 residents in 1900 has increased 15,44-fold to 59,776 residents after 120 years, according to the official 2020 census.

    Approximately 50.80% female residents and 49.20% male residents live in Petaluma, Sonoma County, California.

    As of 2020 in Petaluma, Sonoma County, California are married and the remaining 41.95% are single population.

  • 35.7 minutes is the average time that residents in Petaluma require for a one-way commute to work. A long commute can have different effects on health. A Gallup poll in the US found that in terms of mental health, long haul commuters are up to 12 percent more likely to experience worry, and ten percent less likely to feel well rested. The Gallup poll also found that of people who commute 61­–90 minutes each day, a whopping one third complained of neck and back pain, compared to less than a quarter of people who only spend ten minutes getting to work.

    72.72% of the working population which commute to work alone in their car, 13.75% of the working population which commutes to work in a carpool, 5.03% of the population that commutes using mass transit, including bus, light rail, subway, and ferry. 4.69% of the population that has their home as their principal place of work.

  • Of the total residential buildings in Petaluma, Sonoma County, California, 68.38% are owner-occupied homes, another 28.88% are rented apartments, and the remaining 2.74% are vacant.

  • The 31.40% of the population in Petaluma, Sonoma County, California who identify themselves as belonging to a religion are distributed among the following most diverse religions.

Show cameras in area

Cameras in

throbber

Please wait while loading content

Please wait

Booking Offer

Booking.com

Other cities around Mesa

Title Distance in miles Show on Map

Skyline of Petaluma

In 51 U.S. states are published

2648 Companies
938 Counties
1767 Cities

The 5 newest Companies

Sugar Incentives

3129 Locust Ct, Sioux City, IA 51106

Cafe Fanny Granola

1398 University Ave #1711, Berkeley, CA 94702

Zella Hazelnuts

2831 NW 3 Sisters Dr, Bend, OR 97701

Central Valley Cheese

115 S Kilroy Rd, Turlock, CA 95380

Herr's Potato Chips

2 Warehouse Ln, Elmsford, NY 10523

Other Companies

Backuntry Foods LLC

1037 Crestview Dr, Cedar Hill, TX 75104

The Schwan Food Company

1251 Scarborough Ln, Pasadena, TX 77506

Food Sales

322 Nancy Lynn Ln #5, Knoxville, TN 37919

Mountain View Farm Products Llc

85 Marmac Ln, Fairfield, VA 24435

Carnation Public Food Bank

31822 Myrtle St, Carnation, WA 98014

Landscape of California