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Midtown

Midtown

$746,167 Average Value
$590 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home 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. 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. “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.”

Midtown Cottages span the center of town and are surrounded with restaurants and amenities.
Midtown Cottages span the center of town and are surrounded with restaurants and amenities.
Midtown residents walk and bike along D Street to Downtown Petaluma.
Midtown residents walk and bike along D Street to Downtown Petaluma.
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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. Though lot sizes can be larger than 5,500 square feet. “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 with 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.

Find your perfect new home in the lovely neighborhood of Midtown Petaluma.
Find your perfect new home in the lovely neighborhood of Midtown Petaluma.
Cottages in Midtown offer great curb appeal with mature landscaping.
Cottages in Midtown offer great curb appeal with mature landscaping.
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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 School, Petaluma Junior High School and Petaluma High School, all of which receive A-minus ratings. The high school is noted for its career and technical education programs, including agriculture and business courses.

Petaluma Junior High School provides academic and athletic opportunities.
Petaluma Junior High School provides academic and athletic opportunities.
Petaluma High School offers a space where all people can learn and thrive.
Petaluma High School offers a space where all people can learn and thrive.
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Library playground, swim center and skate park anchor the area

The area provides access to several of Petaluma’s recreational amenities. 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 among bikers. “Midtown blends right into the public library, which has a small playground and runs a lot of youth programs,” Andresen says.

Kenilworth park features a sandy playground in the neighborhood of 
Midtown.
Kenilworth park features a sandy playground in the neighborhood of Midtown.
Midtown offers the Petaluma Swim Center and Skatepark for locals to enjoy.
Midtown offers the Petaluma Swim Center and Skatepark for locals to enjoy.
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Events at the Petaluma Fairgrounds draw visitors to Midtown

The Petaluma Fairgrounds Speedway is at the heart of Midtown, drawing visitors annually for the Sonoma-Marin Fair. 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. “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.”

Midtown residents are adjacent to the Petaluma Fairgrounds Speedway where many events are held.
Midtown residents are adjacent to the Petaluma Fairgrounds Speedway where many events are held.
Midtown residents enjoy special events at the Petaluma Fairgrounds Speedway.
Midtown residents enjoy special events at the Petaluma Fairgrounds Speedway.
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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. “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, an Italian spot, Risibisi, and Seared, a classic American steakhouse.

Midtown residents head to Water Street Bistro for great food and dining with a view of Petaluma River.
Midtown residents head to Water Street Bistro for great food and dining with a view of Petaluma River.
Target is an option for Midtown shoppers daily needs.
Target is an option for Midtown shoppers daily needs.
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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. “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.

Midtown offers a big-box shopping center with many options including Home Goods and Dick's Sporting Goods.
Midtown offers a big-box shopping center with many options including Home Goods and Dick's Sporting Goods.
Midtown commuters access the greater Bay Area by way of the SMART train.
Midtown commuters access the greater Bay Area by way of the SMART train.
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Hugh Taylor
Written By
Hugh Taylor
Luke George
Photography Contributed By
Luke George

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Charles M Schulz - Sonoma County

31 min drive

Bus

Petaluma Blvd N & Factory Outlets N

Bus

Lakeville & Caulfeld Sb

Bus

E Washington St & Ellis St Eb

Bus

E Washington St & Vallejo St

Bus

Lakeville St & Caufield

Bus

E Washington St & Johnson St

Bus

Lakeville HWY & Jefferson St Nb

Reviews

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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

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$724,500
Median Sale Price
$724,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$725,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
27
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-2%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$590

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
960
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1955
Months of Supply
0.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,220
Significantly below the national average
1,929
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,070
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,200
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
4,523
Median Age
42
Population under 18
22.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$101,182
Above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$121,857

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
80.1%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
33.2%
Advanced Degrees
12.1%
% Population in Labor Force
68.5%
On par with the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
26''
Average Winter Low Temperature
39°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

69 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

60 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

40 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Midtown