Petaluma is a city in Sonoma County, California, United States, located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Its population was 59,776 according to the 2020 census. Petaluma's name comes from the Miwok village named Péta Lúuma that was located on the banks of the Petaluma River. The modern city originates in Rancho Petaluma, granted in 1834 to famed Californio statesman Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, considered to be the founder of Petaluma. Today, Petaluma is known for its well-preserved historic center and as a local hub for the Petaluma Valley region of Sonoma County.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Petaluma ranks

All →

#108Most walkable in CA #102Best schools in CA #139Most conserved land in CA All CA rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code94952, 94953, 94954

Area code707

Living in Petaluma

Housing in Petaluma

$899K≈ same as a year ago Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Petaluma home is worth about $899,000, about the same as a year ago, 18% above the California typical home.

A strong seller's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market31

Sale-to-list103.1%

Sold in May45

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Petaluma

C⁺

Safety Grade C+

Petaluma reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 57% report less. Within California, it does better than 69% of towns.

Violent crime per 1,000

Petaluma 2.3

California 4.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Petaluma 11.9

California 18.2

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Health in Petaluma

Health Grade A

Healthier than 86% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with California

14better than CA·2worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 16 are too close to call.

Conditions 2▲ 2▼ 8 close Habits 1▲ 3 close Care 4▲ 3 close Mind 3▲ 2 close Everyday needs 4▲ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

10.6%Fewer adults facing food insecurityCA 17.9% · better 6.7%Fewer uninsured adultsCA 10.6% · better 9%More adults who have had cancerCA 6.4% · worse

Care nearby

Sonoma Valley HospitalSonoma · 9.4 mi · ER

Mary Isaak Homeless Shelter ClinicPetaluma · 0.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Petaluma · CMS · HRSAHealth in Petaluma →

Natural hazards in Petaluma

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 97% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🏚️ Earthquakes

366Does Petaluma flood?paid flood claims since 1980 5Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Petaluma

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Petaluma →

Climate in Petaluma

Full climate →

Petaluma has mild winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 80°, a January night drops to 39°, and snow is almost unheard of.

58° / 39°Winter

68° / 44°Spring

79° / 51°Summer

74° / 47°Fall

How much snow does Petaluma get?Almost none.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Nov 25, with the last in spring around Feb 28.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.3° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Petaluma →

Schools in Petaluma

All Petaluma schools →

B⁺

School Grade B+

The public schools Petaluma’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 72% of California’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

#102Best public schoolsof 574 in CA

DistrictPetaluma Joint Union HighSchools33

Mary Collins Charter School at Cherry Valley A-Elementary · Grades K–8 · 494 students Loma Vista Immersion AcademyElementary · Grades K–6 · 451 students Sonoma Mountain ElementaryElementary · Grades K–6 · 422 students Corona Creek Elementary A-Elementary · Grades K–6 · 403 students Grant ElementaryElementary · Grades K–6 · 386 students Meadow Elementary A-Elementary · Grades K–6 · 384 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within CA. Ratings are from neighbors.