Santa Rosa
citySanta Rosa, the county seat of Sonoma County, California, is situated in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. As the largest city in California's Wine Country and Redwood Coast, Santa Rosa offers a blend of urban amenities and access to natural beauty. The city had a population of approximately 177,300 in 2026. Santa Rosa's economy is diverse, with key industries including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and tourism. The city serves as a hub for entrepreneurial businesses, retail, banking, and employment in the surrounding four-county region. Its location in the heart of wine country also supports a thriving tourism sector. Founded in 1833 and incorporated in 1868, Santa Rosa has a rich history rooted in its early days as an agricultural center. Today, it maintains a balance between urban development and a small-town feel, offering residents and visitors a high quality of life with access to arts, culture, food, wine, and recreation.
Santa Rosa, California
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 06-70098
- Country
- United States
- County
- Sonoma County
- Region
- North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area
- Elevation
- 160 ft
- Total Area
- 41.5 sq mi
- Land Area
- 41.29 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.21 sq mi
- Latitude
- 38.44861
- Longitude
- -122.70472
- Climate
- Warm-summer Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Fog and low overcast are common in the summer evenings and mornings.
- Notable Features
- Santa Rosa Plain · Santa Rosa Creek · Laguna de Santa Rosa · Bennett Peak · Mount Hood · Sonoma Mountains · Taylor Mountains
- Neighboring Areas
- Petaluma · Rohnert Park · Windsor · Sonoma · Healdsburg · Sebastopol
- Population (2020)
- 178,127
- Est. Population (2026)
- 177,300
- Median Age
- 41.2
- Median Income
- $99,060
- Poverty Rate
- 9.72%
- Family Households
- 62.3%
- Owner-Occupied
- 56.7%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial composition of Santa Rosa includes 48.7% White, 37.4% Hispanic, 6.3% Asian, 1.9% Black, and 1.3% Native American/Other.
- Government Type
- Council-Manager
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 7 members
- School District
- Santa Rosa City Schools
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works
- Economic Profile
- Dynamic and well-balanced economy · Hub for technology and entrepreneurial businesses, retail, banking and employment · Tourist-oriented
- Employment Sectors
- Health Care & Social Assistance · Retail Trade · Manufacturing
- Students
- 16,000
- School Districts
- Santa Rosa City Elementary School District · Santa Rosa City High School District
- Colleges & Universities
- Santa Rosa Junior College
- Transportation
- US Route 101 · Santa Rosa CityBus · SMART Rail
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Fiber/broadband
- Major Facilities
- Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital · Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Annadel State Park · Spring Lake County Park · Howarth Park · Laguna de Santa Rosa · Doran Regional Park
- Parks & Trails
- City parks · Creek trails
- Founded
- 1833
- Incorporated
- 1868
- Named After
- Saint Rose of Lima
- Historical Significance
- Evolved from a small agricultural hub to a regional center for commerce, government, and medical facilities.
- Key Events
- Founded by Mexican colonists · Became the county seat of Sonoma County in 1854 · Devastated by an earthquake in 1906 · Designated as a regional headquarters for civil defense in 1958