Welcome to Solano County, California! With 58 county’s in the state, it can be overwhelming to decide where to live in California. Stretching from the bottom of the U.S. to almost the top, California has a wide variety of options to call home. In this article, we provide information on Solano County and the top 10 cities in the county.
It’s important to mention that counties can include cities, towns, villages/hamlets, and census-designated places (CDP). CDPs are geographic areas that represent unincorporated communities that are recognized and identified by name. They are used for statistical purposes only by the United States Census Bureau.
Note: All data comes from the US Census.
Solano County, California
Before looking into the actual cities in Solano County, you might want to learn a little bit about the County itself. Located right in-between San Francisco and Sacramento (about 45 miles from each), Solano County covers about 909 square miles, 84 of those miles being a water area. The county is only home to 11 cities, its biggest city is Vallejo.
Solano County is known for being one of California’s best-kept secrets since it’s not as well known as the bigger California cities, but it has beautiful scenery, tons of entertainment, and residential communities and businesses. For scenery, Solano County is home to Rush Ranch (which has 2,000 acres of grassland) and Suisun Marsh, which is the largest remaining contiguous area of coastal wetland in the state of California. There are also rolling hills of almonds, wheat, olives, and sunflowers from the local farmers, that are not only beautiful but help the local economy as well. For entertainment, you’ll find both family-friendly and adult things to do, including Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, wineries, and plenty of golfing spots. In fact, the area is an official American Viticultural Area (AVA), and produces an array of different grapes.
Economy-wise, Solano County has the lowest cost of living and is one of the poorest areas in the Bay Area. The healthcare and retail industries are the most dominant overall in the area, and healthcare is projected to continue to grow. Solano also has a very strong manufacturing base, accounting for about 1/5th of the total gross regional product.
Solano County Demographics
- Population: 444,538 people
- Median Age: 38.3 years old
- Median household income: $84,638
- Median price of housing: $437,900
- Area of state (square miles): 821.8
- Density (people per square mile): 540.9
- Educational attainments (% of people with a high school or greater attainment): 88.7%
Cities in Solano County
Vallejo
First up on our list, with the largest population in Solano County, is Vallejo. This city was founded in 1851 and named after Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, a famed Californian general and statesman. Vallejo is located on the shores of San Pablo Bay in Solano County. The city has four major areas: Downtown, Mare Island, Northgate, and the waterfront. You can find waterfront views and tons of commercial and residential buildings in all of these areas. Vallejo is home to three colleges: Touro University, the California Maritime Academy, and two Solano Community College campuses, and is also in close proximity to UC-Berkeley and UC-Davis. Vallejo is also home to the world-famous Six Flags Marine World, which is a wildlife theme park with tons of attractions, rides, and shows.
Another big draw to the city is the golfing. The Hiddenbrooke Golf Club, Mare Island Golf Course, and Blue Rock Springs have beautiful, challenging courses for players of all levels. Plus, for the water lovers, there’s the Vallejo Yacht Club.
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- Vallejo Population: 121,267 people
- Vallejo Population Growth %: 4.5%
- Vallejo Area: 30.7 square miles
- Vallejo Median Age: 38.4 years old
- Vallejo Median Household Income: $69,405
- Vallejo Median House Price: $585,000
- Vallejo Crime rate: 4,325 per 100,000 people
- Vallejo Map
Fairfield
Second on our list is Fairfield, California. With tons of nature, wine, and family-friendly activities, Fairfield is a great place to call home. If you’re looking for nature, Fairfield has the Suisun Wildlife Center, which is a non-profit volunteer organization that is dedicated to rescuing the native wildlife and preserving the Suisun Marsh. On top of that, check out the Solano Land Trust and Rockville Hills Park for miles of trails and breathtaking views, or Grizzly Waters Kayaking to rent a kayak or paddleboard. There are also countless wineries in Fairfield and very close by. Check out Fairfield California Wineries for more information about them. We can’t talk about Faifield without talking about what it’s known for. The Jelly Belly Candy Company sits right in Fairfield, where you can take a tour of the building and get tons of jelly beans!
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- Fairfield Population: 115,282 people
- Fairfield Population Growth %: 11.2%
- Fairfield Area: 37.4 square miles
- Fairfield Median Age: 34.8 years old
- Fairfield Median Household Income: $84,557
- Fairfield Median House Price: $655,500
- Fairfield Crime rate: 3,568 per 100,000 people
- Fairfield Map
Vacaville
Next up on our list is Vacaville. The city was recently named one of the Top 10 Most Livable Small Cities in the United States in Smart Asset. What makes Vacaville so great? It has everything and a great community feel! Vacaville is known for being home to the Nut Tree Airport. Here you can find showcases of historic aircraft from the 20th century. Vacaville has plenty of outdoor activities, and with the temperate climate year-round, you’ll always be able to enjoy it! A huge part of the local economy is from locally grown products. You can visit the local farms for family fun and outdoor adventure. Another way to get local produce is at the Kaiser Permanente Farmers Market or at fresh fruit and berry stands located all around the area. Vacaville also has a historic downtown with vintage shops and wineries.
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- Vacaville Population: 98,875 people
- Vacaville Population Growth %: 7.6%
- Vacaville Area: 28.4 square miles
- Vacaville Median Age: 37.5 years old
- Vacaville Median Household Income: $87,823
- Vacaville Median House Price: $651,000
- Vacaville Crime rate: 2,742 per 100,000 people
- Vacaville Map
Suisun City
Fourth on the list is Suisun City. Suisun is a Patwin word that means ‘where the west wind blows.’ Founded in the 1850s, Suisun City was the center of commerce and transportation during the Gold Rush. Due to being connected to the Transcontinental Railroad, the city experienced rapid growth in the 1960s and 70s. Presently, Suisun City is known for Suisun March, which has the largest contiguous brackish water marsh on the west coast of the U.S. Suisun City has attractions such as the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area Lake Solano Park, and Rockville Hills Park, where there are fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, boat rentals, and beautiful views. Suisun City is a great place for families. There are great schools and a very safe area.
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- Suisun City Population: 29,488 people
- Suisun City Population Growth %: 6.3%
- Suisun City Area: 8.3 square miles
- Suisun City Median Age: 34.4 years old
- Suisun City Median Household Income: 83,320
- Suisun City Median House Price: $585,000
- Suisun City Crime rate: 778 per 100,000 people
- Suisun Map
Benicia
Half down on the list in Benicia. Benicia, also known as the jewel of the Bay Area, is laid-back with an arts scene and plenty of dining and shopping options. One of the top attractions here is the Benicia Publix Pier and Beach. On the Carquinez Straits, the waterfront has amazing sunsets and beautiful water views. For more nature, you can check out the Benicia State Recreation Area where there are 447 acres of rocky beaches and grassy marshes. There is also a lot of history in Benicia. Check out the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park or Benicia Historical Museum to learn all about it! There are also a lot of local events that are family-friendly, including the Benicia Certified Farmers Market. We wouldn’t talk about Benicia without talking about the art scene. The Arts Benicia, along with other local art shops, educates and cultivates creativity within the area.
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- Benicia Population: 28,192 people
- Benicia Population Growth %:4.6%
- Benicia Area: 35.2 square miles
- Benicia Median Age: 46.1 years old
- Benicia Median Household Income: $103,413
- Benicia Median House Price: $777,000
- Benicia Crime rate: 1,380 per 100,000 people
- Benicia Map
Dixon
Next is Dixon, California. Dixon was born in 1978 and is known for being the hub for miles of grain alfalfa and dairy farming. The charming city has unique attractions, wineries, golf courses, shopping, and performing arts. Given its location, it’s next to all of the top attractions of the nearby cities, including the Vacaville Premium Outlets and the Travis Air Force Base. Local to Dixon, there is the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. Here you can watch shows, concerts, and theatrical performances. There is also the annual sheep festival known as Lamb Town, which stems from Dixon’s long history in the sheep industry. There isn’t much nightlife in Dixon, so it’s not a hot spot for young adults, but it’s a great place for families.
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- Dixon Population: 20,084 people
- Dixon Population Growth %: 12.1%
- Dixon Area: 3.4 square miles
- Dixon Median Age: 34 years old
- Dixon Median Household Income: $82,570
- Dixon Median House Price: $627,500
- Dixon Crime rate: 2,132 per 100,000 people
- Dixon Map
Rio Vista
Next up on our list is Rio Vista. Rio Vista is the largest American producer of Belgian Endive in the U.S. This is because Craig Breedlove (five-time world land speed record holder) lives and has an engineering facility in the city. Just like the other cities in the area, Rio Vista has camping, golfing, wineries, and plenty of beautiful views. Feel free to set up tours at Rio Vista Community Page. The area is mostly a rural feel and most residents here own their homes. Rio Vista is a good place for families since its schools are above average and it is one of the safer cities in the area. We’re also seeing a lot of growth in the city, with over a 30% population growth in just one year.
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- Rio Vista Population: 8,947 people
- Rio Vista Population Growth %: 30.2%
- Rio Vista Area: 23.2 square miles
- Rio Vista Median Age: 64.4 years old
- Rio Vista Median Household Income: $69,604
- Rio Vista Median House Price: $499,500
- Rio Vista Crime rate: 1,589 per 100,000 people
- Rio Vista Map
Hartley (CDP)
Hartley is a CDP that reaches about 15 square miles. The area is close to the action of all of the other bigger cities near the area. The area feels very rural where most of the residents are homeowners, however, the median home prices are one of the highest in the U.S. Hartley is known to be a great place to retire since it’s quiet, but drivable to action if desired. For families, the schools in Hartley are above average and Hartley has their own elementary, middle, and high school.
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- Hartley Population: 2,960
- Hartley Population Growth %: 8.1%
- Hartley Area: 15.2 square miles
- Hartley Median Age: 46.3 years old
- Hartley Median Household Income: $108,510
- Hartley Median House Price: 1.25 Million
- Hartley Crime rate: 2,948 per 100,000 people
- Hartley Map
Green Valley (CDP)
Second to last on the list is Green Valley. Green Valley is also a CDP, but has been said as being a hidden gem. It has a great small-town feel with a quiet environment that’s nested in the National Forest. What’s great is that it’s still just minutes away from major malls, restaurants, and services. The community is warm, welcoming, friendly, and respectful. Green Valley is definitely an area to check out given its unique and lovely community.
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- Green Valley Population: 1,472 people
- Green Valley Population Growth %: N/A
- Green Valley Area: 12.8 square miles
- Green Valley Median Age: 45.8 years old
- Green Valley Median Household Income: $82,961
- Green Valley Median House Price: $1.26 million
- Green Valley Crime rate: 3,568 per 100,000 people
- Green Valley Map
Allendale (CDP)
Last on the list is Allendale. Allendale is another CDP where most residents own their homes and has a very rural feel. Most residents here are conservative. The public schools in the area are highly rated, making it a good place for families looking for a quiet life. However, Allendale is a close distance away from major cities and major attractions if desired.
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- Allendale Population: 1,388 people
- Allendale Population Growth %: -19.6%
- Allendale Area: 8.1 square miles
- Allendale Median Age: 54.4 years old
- Allendale Median Household Income: $121,081
- Allendale Median House Price: $1.1 million
- Allendale Crime rate: 362 per 100,000 people
- Allendale Map
List of Cities in Solano County (Table)
Cities in Solano County (Map)
FAQ Section
How many cities are there in the county?
There are 11 cities in Solano County, 4 of them being CPDs.
What is the most populous city in the county?
The most populous city in Solano County is Vallejo with a population of 121,267 people.
What is the wealthiest city in the county?
The wealthiest city (CPD) in Solano County is Allendale with a median household income of $121,081.
Which city is the largest in land size?
The largest city in land size in Solano County is Benicia with 35.2 square miles.
Which of the Counties is Right for You?
After going through all of the cities in Solano County, is there one that stands out to you? No matter which city you choose, you can’t go wrong with moving to the area. It’s filled with breathtaking views, tons of nature, and plenty of attractions. Once you’ve decided where to call home, call your efficient, reliable Solano County movers at 916-631-4285.
