Sonoma County, CA

County

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2021 Population

492,498

0.866% 1-year decline

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

42.5

0.236% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

8.67%

1.4% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$91,607

6.31% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$665,800

4.03% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

251,382

0.999% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Sonoma County, CA had a population of 492k people with a median age of 42.5 and a median household income of $91,607. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Sonoma County, CA declined from 496,801 to 492,498, a −0.866% decrease and its median household income grew from $86,173 to $91,607, a 6.31% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Sonoma County, CA are White (Non-Hispanic) (61.7%), Other (Hispanic) (12.7%), White (Hispanic) (8.67%), Two+ (Hispanic) (5.19%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.27%).

None of the households in Sonoma County, CA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

91.3% of the residents in Sonoma County, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Sonoma County, CA are Santa Rosa Junior College (123013) (4,682 degrees awarded in 2021), Sonoma State University (2,245 degrees), and Empire College (163 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Sonoma County, CA was $665,800, and the homeownership rate was 61.4%.

Most people in Sonoma County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Sonoma County, CA was 2 cars per household.

Sonoma County, CA borders Contra Costa County, CA, Lake County, CA, Marin County, CA, Mendocino County, CA, Napa County, CA, and Solano County, CA.

Photo by Kenny Wirth

United States California Santa Rosa, CA

Population & Diversity

Sonoma County, CA is home to a population of 492k people, from which 91.3% are citizens. As of 2021, 16.3% of Sonoma County, CA residents were born outside of the country (80.4k people).

In 2021, there were 4.85 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (304k people) in Sonoma County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 62.7k Other (Hispanic) and 42.7k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

91.3%

2021 Citizenship

90.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 91.3% of Sonoma County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Sonoma County, CA was 90.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Sonoma County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Sonoma County, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
304k ± 857
Other (Hispanic)
62.7k ± 3.2k
White (Hispanic)
42.7k ± 2.69k

27.5%

Hispanic Population

136k people

27.5% of the people in Sonoma County, CA are hispanic (136k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Sonoma County, CA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,959,545 ± 46,338 people
Philippines
828,655 ± 22,113 people
China
680,942 ± 20,084 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,959,545 California residents, followed by Philippines with 828,655 and China with 680,942.

Foreign-Born Population

16.3%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

80.4k people

16.6%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

82.5k people

As of 2021, 16.3% of Sonoma County, CA residents (80.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Sonoma County, CA was 16.6%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Sonoma County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
9,586 ± 717
Gulf War (2001-)
3,430 ± 469
Gulf War (1990s)
2,610 ± 364

Sonoma County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.79 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Sonoma County, CA employs 251k people. The largest industries in Sonoma County, CA are Health Care & Social Assistance (33,766 people), Retail Trade (28,811 people), and Manufacturing (26,228 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($107,926), Information ($79,805), and Public Administration ($79,438).

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $69,050. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.497, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

251k

2021 Value

± 4,119

−0.999%

1 Year decline

± 2.32%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Sonoma County, CA declined at a rate of −0.999%, from 254k employees to 251k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Sonoma County, CA, are Management Occupations (32,362 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (26,416 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (24,822 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Sonoma County, CA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

251k

2021 Value

± 4,119

−0.999%

1 Year decline

± 2.32%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Sonoma County, CA declined at a rate of −0.999%, from 254k employees to 251k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Sonoma County, CA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (33,766 people), Retail Trade (28,811 people), and Manufacturing (26,228 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Sonoma County, CA, though some of these residents may live in Sonoma County, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$52,878

Median earning men ± $1,304

$40,098

Median earning women ± $1,105

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($91,345), Information ($84,085), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($83,716).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($70,213), Information ($66,959), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($60,025).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in California. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

5,419
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
3,399
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
3,271
Manufacturing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$5.44M
Manufacturing
$4.98M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$1.91M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $405B, followed by Mixed freight ($159B) and Pharmaceuticals ($155B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound California products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$2.21T

2020 Value in California

$4.61T

Projected 2050 Value in California

109% growth

In 2020, total outbound California trade was $2.21T. This is expected to increase 109% to $4.61T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound California trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$84.4B
Arizona
$44.8B
Ohio
$40.6B

In 2020, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $84.4B, followed by Arizona with $44.8B and Ohio and $40.6B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that California shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Sonoma County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 74.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (23%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.27%).

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

California is currently represented by 52 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (74.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (23%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.27%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Sonoma County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 74.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (23%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.27%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Sonoma County, CA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Dianne Feinstein

Senator from California

Assumed office on November 10, 1992
Elected to the seat to succeed John Seymour (California politician)|John Seymour, who had been appointed to the seat after Pete Wilson was elected Governor of California.

Alex Padilla

Senator from California

Assumed office on January 18, 2021
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are the senators currently representing California.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from California

California is currently represented by 52 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for California have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Sonoma County, CA awarded 7,178 degrees. The student population of Sonoma County, CA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 9,275 male students and 13,411 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Sonoma County, CA are White (3,231 and 45.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (2,410 and 34.2%), Unknown (503 and 7.13%), and Two or More Races (359 and 5.09%).

The largest universities in Sonoma County, CA by number of degrees awarded are Santa Rosa Junior College (123013) (4,682 and 65.2%), Sonoma State University (2,245 and 31.3%), and Empire College (163 and 2.27%).

The most popular majors in Sonoma County, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,090 and 15.2%), General Business Administration & Management (659 and 9.18%), and General Social Sciences (461 and 6.42%).

The median tuition costs in Sonoma County, CA are $9,375 for private four year colleges, and $5,742 and $17,622 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Sonoma County, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 93.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 8.27%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 22,686 (40.9% men and 59.1% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 22,686 students enrolled in Sonoma County, CA, 40.9% men and 59.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 9,631 records, of which 57% were women and 43% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
207 degrees awarded
General Social Sciences
461 degrees awarded
Biological & Physical Sciences
347 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Sonoma County, CA was General Psychology with 207 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Sonoma County, CA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Santa Rosa Junior College (123013)
4,682 degrees awarded
Sonoma State University
2,245 degrees awarded
Empire College
163 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Santa Rosa Junior College (123013) with 4,682 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 2,527 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Sonoma County, CA, which is 0.543 times less than the 4,651 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,231 degrees mean that there were 1.34 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 2,410 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($9,375) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,246) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,972) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Measure

In 2021, 1.89% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 2.12% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were Some college (7.01M), High School or Equivalent (6.74M), and Bachelors Degree (6.25M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Sonoma County, CA was $665,800 in 2021, which is 2.72 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $640,000 to $665,800, a 4.03% increase. The homeownership rate in Sonoma County, CA is 61.4%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Sonoma County, CA have an average commute time of 25.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Sonoma County, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Sonoma County, CA is $91,607. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Sonoma County, CA was Census Tract 1515.03 with a value of $160,375, followed by Census Tract 1506.07 and Census Tract 1507.02, with respective values of $137,778 and $137,768.

In 2022, 22.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Sonoma County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.46%.

Housing

Property

$665,800

Median Property Value 2021

±$5,826

$115,955

Median Property Taxes

±$2,629

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Sonoma County, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Sonoma County, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

61.4%

Homeownership

2021

68.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 61.4% of the housing units in Sonoma County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 61.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Sonoma County, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 1515.03
Census Tract 1506.07
Census Tract 1507.02

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Sonoma County, CA was Census Tract 1515.03 with a value of $160,375, followed by Census Tract 1506.07 and Census Tract 1507.02, with respective values of $137,778 and $137,768.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Sonoma County, CA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$91,607

Median Household Income

± $1,792

189k

Number of Households

± 3,145

In 2021, the median household income of the 189k households in Sonoma County, CA grew to $91,607 from the previous year's value of $86,173.

The following chart displays the households in Sonoma County, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Sonoma County, CA is from California.

0.497

2021 Wage GINI in California

0.498

2020 Wage GINI in California

In 2021, the income inequality in California was 0.497 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.12% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (72.8%)
Worked At Home (11.3%)
Carpooled (9.95%)

In 2021, 72.8% of workers in Sonoma County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (11.3%) and those who carpooled to work (9.95%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

25.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Sonoma County, CA have a shorter commute time (25.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 3.76% of the workforce in Sonoma County, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Sonoma County, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Sonoma County, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Sonoma County, CA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 22.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Sonoma County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.46%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

8.67% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Sonoma County, CA (42.1k out of 486k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Sonoma County, CA is White, followed by Hispanic and Other.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 8.6% of the children was living in poverty in Sonoma County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 6.6%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 368 in Sonoma County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 13.9 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

94.1% of the population of Sonoma County, CA has health coverage, with 48.5% on employee plans, 15.2% on Medicaid, 14.7% on Medicare, 14.7% on non-group plans, and 1.04% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Sonoma County, CA see 977 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.24% increase from the previous year (965 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1051 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 194 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

977 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Sonoma County, CA

Primary care physicians in Sonoma County, CA see an average of 977 patients per year. This represents a 1.24% increase from the previous year (965 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Sonoma County, CA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.2% under 18 years, 19% between 18 and 34 years, 40% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.9%

Uninsured

48.5%

Employer Coverage

15.2%

Medicaid

14.7%

Medicare

14.7%

Non-Group

1.04%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Sonoma County, CA declined by 2.38% from 6.04% to 5.9%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Sonoma County, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 24.8 in Sonoma County, CA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Sonoma County, CA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 27.1% in Sonoma County, CA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Sonoma County, CA.

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