Petaluma, CA Demographics

A map of Petaluma's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	39,604	38,538	66.8%	64.5%
Hispanic	12,841	13,606	21.7%	22.8%
Multiracial	3,398	3,335	5.7%	5.6%
Asian	2,216	2,809	3.7%	4.7%
Black	709	778	1.2%	1.3%
Native American/Other	479	710	0.8%	1.2%

Petaluma, California has an estimated population of 59,247, a less than 1% change from the 59,776 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 66.8% White, 21.7% Hispanic, 5.7% Multiracial, 3.7% Asian, 1.2% Black, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Petaluma, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Petaluma has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Petaluma, that probability was 52.7% in 2020 and 50.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Petaluma is ranked the 159th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Petaluma was ranked the 160th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Petaluma's White Population

39,604 residents of Petaluma, or 66.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Petaluma is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Petaluma ranks 680th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petaluma's White population has grown by an estimated 2.8%. White residents' share of Petaluma's population has increased from 64.5% to 66.8%.

Petaluma is more White than neighboring Sonoma State University (38.2% White), and Rohnert Park (51.4% White). Petaluma is less White than neighboring Penngrove (80.6% White), Cotati (67.4% White), and Temelec (91.9% White).

Petaluma's Black Population

709 residents of Petaluma, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Petaluma is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Petaluma ranks 618th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petaluma's Black population has declined by an estimated 8.9%. Black residents' share of Petaluma's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Petaluma is more Black than neighboring Temelec (0% Black). Petaluma is less Black than neighboring Penngrove (1.7% Black), Sonoma State University (10.3% Black), and Rohnert Park (2.1% Black).

Petaluma's Asian Population

2,216 residents of Petaluma, or 3.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Petaluma is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Petaluma ranks 496th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petaluma's Asian population has declined by an estimated 21.1%. Asian residents' share of Petaluma's population has decreased from 4.7% to 3.7%.

Petaluma is more Asian than neighboring Penngrove (0.7% Asian), Cotati (2.8% Asian), and Temelec (0.9% Asian). Petaluma is less Asian than neighboring Sonoma State University (12.7% Asian), and Rohnert Park (6.5% Asian).

Petaluma's Hispanic Population

12,841 residents of Petaluma, or 21.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Petaluma is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Petaluma ranks 802nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petaluma's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 5.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Petaluma's population has decreased from 22.8% to 21.7%.

Petaluma is more Hispanic than neighboring Penngrove (7.7% Hispanic), Cotati (20.7% Hispanic), and Temelec (5.5% Hispanic). Petaluma is less Hispanic than neighboring Sonoma State University (29.9% Hispanic), and Rohnert Park (32.8% Hispanic).

Petaluma's Native American/Other Population

479 residents of Petaluma, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Petaluma is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Petaluma ranks 834th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petaluma's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 32.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Petaluma's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Petaluma is more Native American/Other than neighboring Penngrove (0% Native American/Other), Cotati (0.4% Native American/Other), and Temelec (0% Native American/Other). Petaluma is less Native American/Other than neighboring Sonoma State University (1% Native American/Other), and Rohnert Park (1.9% Native American/Other).

Petaluma's Multiracial Population

3,398 residents of Petaluma, or 5.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Petaluma is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Petaluma ranks 579th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petaluma's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 1.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Petaluma's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.7%.

Petaluma is more Multiracial than neighboring Rohnert Park (5.3% Multiracial), and Temelec (1.7% Multiracial). Petaluma is less Multiracial than neighboring Penngrove (9.3% Multiracial), Sonoma State University (8% Multiracial), and Cotati (7.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.