2025 Compare Cities People:
Arcata, CA vs Petaluma, CA

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Highlights
- Petaluma is 0% more densely populated than Arcata.
- People are 143.2% more likely to be married in Petaluma.
- The Median Age is 15.9 years older in Petaluma.
 Arcata, CAPetaluma, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock60,050329,725,481
 Female Population48.6%  Unlock50.5%
 Male Population51.4%  Unlock49.5%
 Median Age  Unlock42.838.4
 space3
 Population - 201017,685  Unlock309,327,143
 Population - 2000  Unlock54,548285,036,114
 Population - 199015,197  Unlock251,960,433
 Pop. 2000 to Now  Unlock11.2%15.6%
 Pop. 1990 to Now18.7%  Unlock30.8%
 space4
 Population Density  Unlock4,175.493.4
 Land Area9.4  Unlock3,531,905.4
 Water Area  Unlock0.1264,836.8
 space
 Est. Total Population By Age
 Arcata, CAPetaluma, CAUnited States
 Age 0 to 42.5%  Unlock5.9%
 Age 5 to 9  Unlock5.5%6.1%
 Age 10 to 143.8%  Unlock6.6%
 Age 15 to 17  Unlock4.0%3.9%
 Age 18 to 2017.6%  Unlock4.0%
 Age 21 to 24  Unlock3.0%5.2%
 Age 25 to 3417.0%  Unlock13.8%
 Age 35 to 44  Unlock13.7%12.9%
 Age 45 to 546.2%  Unlock12.6%
 Age 55 to 59  Unlock7.4%6.7%
 Age 60 to 644.1%  Unlock6.3%
 Age 65 to 74  Unlock11.1%9.6%
 Age 75 to 841.8%  Unlock4.5%
 Age 85 and over  Unlock2.6%1.9%
 space1
 Race
 Arcata, CAPetaluma, CAUnited States
 White69.3%  Unlock59.4%
 Black  Unlock1.3%12.2%
 Asian3.7%  Unlock5.6%
 Native American  Unlock0.2%0.6%
 Hawaiian, Pacific Islander0.9%  Unlock0.2%
 Other  Unlock0.2%0.4%
 Two or More Races7.5%  Unlock3.2%
 Hispanic  Unlock21.6%18.4%
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 Marriage & Family
 Arcata, CAPetaluma, CAUnited States
 Married Population21.9%  Unlock49.8%
     Currently Married  Unlock51.8%48.0%
 Married but Separated1.8%  Unlock1.8%
 Single Population  Unlock46.6%50.2%
 Never Married66.0%  Unlock33.8%
 Divorced  Unlock11.6%10.8%
 Widowed3.2%  Unlock5.6%
 space5
 Household Size  Unlock2.612.60
 Households7,081  Unlock124,010,992
 Family Households  Unlock15,05980,755,759
     Married couple, w/children22.6%  Unlock30.5%
     Married couple, no children  Unlock45.5%42.9%
 Non Family Households4,385  Unlock43,255,233
     Single householder, w/children  Unlock11.6%15.8%
     Single householder, no children17.4%  Unlock10.8%
Reviews for Arcata    17 Reviews

Pros: Nature hikes Cons: One of highest crime rates in the nation. Opioid epidemic going on (you’ll regularly witness drug deals and ppl doing drugs) No  More

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It takes a special set of preferences to select Arcata. Is this you? - You love clouds and fog. You are happy if you see the sun maybe 10-20 times a year. - Chilly  More

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Over 11 years ago

I've lived in Humboldt for over 30 yrs and know all the areas well. Arcata is the jewel of Humboldt due to having a university and many liberal creative people. There is  More

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Reviews for Petaluma    16 Reviews

I agree with the low star reviews. Been here for 25 years, raised a family and seen everything turn to the left and worse. Weather is glorious, love the old Victorians  More

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We’ve lived here for 3 years and we love it. It has taken some time to grow on us. We moved from SF where we had lived over 15 years, we were not used to one year leases  More

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I’ve lived here a couple of years (after living in others parts of the Bay Area for 15+ years) and I love it! Great neighborhoods, friendly folks, good schools with  More

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