$747,990Average Value$593Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Midtown offers midcentury homes near transit and shopping options
Midtown in Petaluma is a small neighborhood in the heart of town that appeals to prospective buyers with its convenience and its classic midcentury homes. “Back when I was a kid, that area was part of a flood zone, but the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers came in and did a bunch of work,” says Brad Andresen, real estate advisor with Livxplore Real Estate and Lifestyle, who was born and raised in Petaluma. “There are a lot of small homes – 3-bedroom, 2-baths that were built in the 1950s – but the lots are a pretty good size, so it’s become known as a great place for first-time homebuyers and younger families.” The area is within walking distance of downtown Petaluma, with quick access to shopping centers, restaurants, the highway and the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) train station.
Single-story cottages and New Traditional homes add charm to Midtown
Houses in Midtown are often small, with an average square footage of just over 1,200 – significantly below the national average. However, lot sizes can be larger than 5,500 square feet, allowing room for front and backyards. “Most are single-story homes built in the midcentury boom, around 1950 or so,” Andresen says. Front lawns are often decorated with hedges and leafy trees, which shade the sidewalks on sunny days. New Traditional homes, many built after 2024, incorporate Craftsman architectural features and offer close proximity to the river. Prices can range from around $550,000 to about $1.2 million, varying based on build year, square footage and number of bedrooms.
Petaluma City Schools are well-rated
Midtown is zoned for Petaluma City Schools, a district that earns an overall A from Niche and offers open enrollment. Specialized programs like dual-language immersion and charter schools are also available. Placement is capacity-based, with lotteries used when available space is exceeded. Schools in the district include McKinley Elementary, Petaluma Junior High and Petaluma High, all of which receive A-minus ratings. The high school is noted for its career and technical education programs, including agriculture and business courses.
Library playground, swim center and skate park anchor the area
Residents of the area enjoy access to several of Petaluma’s recreational amenities. “Midtown blends right into the public library, which has a small playground and runs a lot of youth programs,” Andresen says. The Petaluma Swim Center and the Petaluma Skatepark are also in the area, within walking distance of nearly all neighborhood homes. There are walking trails at Petaluma River Park, and the SMART Pathway, also known as the Great Redwood Trail, is popular with bikers.
Downtown restaurants are within walking distance
There is a Whole Foods in the center of the neighborhood, along with a Sprouts Farmers Market just north of the fairgrounds. Other daily necessities are also close by. “It’s close to a newer shopping center that has a Target and a few fast food places,” Andresen says. “And it’s walking distance from some absolutely great dining in downtown Petaluma.” Popular restaurants include Water Street Bistro, a Creole-inspired eatery on the river, Italian spot Risibisi and Seared, a classic American steakhouse.
Events at the Petaluma Fairgrounds draw visitors to Midtown
The Petaluma Fairgrounds and Speedway are at the heart of Midtown, drawing visitors to the neighborhood annually for the Sonoma-Marin Fair. “The Fairgrounds have gone through a bug transformation. There are covered public pickleball courts there, and they still have the dirt race track,” Andresen says. “My wife grew up on the east side of town, and I grew up on the west side. One of the things we both remember is how, on a Friday night, you could always hear the stock car engines from the races.” From spring to early autumn, residents will likely hear the sounds of test and tune events, stock car races and monster truck tours echoing out from the Speedway.
SMART train connects residents to nearby cities
U.S. Highway 101 forms the northern boundary of the neighborhood, providing connections 16 miles north to Santa Rosa and 22 miles south to San Rafael. Residents who prefer not to drive also have options. “It’s walkable to all the restaurants and shops downtown,” Andresen says. “And the SMART train stops at the Petaluma Downtown station there.” The train runs between Windsor and San Rafael, and trips from Petaluma to either town take between 30 and 40 minutes.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Midtown neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Midtown
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Midtown Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Midtown, Petaluma sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Midtown, Petaluma over the last 12 months is $725,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
