Moving to Glen Ellen, California
Glen Ellen, California is a small town located in Sonoma County in the north of the state. The town is situated at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains, with vineyards and rolling hills extending outward from this picturesque setting. The climate in Glen Ellen is Mediterranean, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This climate helps to make Glen Ellen an ideal location for growing grapes and other fruits that thrive in this environment.
Glen Ellen’s history goes back to the early days of California’s Gold Rush era when it was founded as a trading post for miners passing through the area. Over time it evolved into a farming community producing grapes and other agricultural products for sale in nearby cities. In recent years, Glen Ellen has become popular with tourists who come to enjoy its natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere.
Politically speaking, Glen Ellen is located within Sonoma County which leans towards liberal values. The town itself does not have much political representation since it is so small but residents can be sure their voices will be heard if they become involved in local politics or initiatives at the county level.
Economically speaking, Glen Ellen’s main industries are agriculture and tourism due to its close proximity to both San Francisco and Napa Valley wine country. Additionally, there are many small businesses that serve the local community such as restaurants, shops, galleries and more that help bring money into the area year round.
Glen Ellen has two public schools; a K-8 school called Sonoma Valley Elementary School and a high school known as Sonoma Valley High School which serves students from grades 9-12. Both schools offer quality education opportunities for students living in or near Glen Ellen as part of the local school district which also includes nearby towns like Kenwood and Santa Rosa.
Finally, some notable landmarks around Glen Ellen include Jack London State Historic Park which commemorates author Jack London’s life on his former property; Quarryhill Botanical Garden which features over 4500 species of plants from all over Asia; Sugarloaf Ridge State Park which offers stunning views of Northern California’s landscape; and Beltane Ranch Winery which produces some of Sonoma County’s best wines with grapes grown onsite from their own vineyards.
Population: 992
Males: 543 (54.7%), Females: 449 (45.3%)
Sonoma County
Zip code: 95442
Demographics
Median resident age: 40.6 years
Median household income: $52,143
Median house value: $369,400
Population by Race
Races in Glen Ellen:
- White Non-Hispanic (84.8%)
- Hispanic (8.5%)
- Two or more races (3.1%)
- Other race (2.7%)
- American Indian (2.2%)
- Black (1.9%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: German (23.4%), English (14.5%), Irish (11.1%), Swedish (6.7%), United States (6.5%), French (3.3%).
Elevation: 230 feet
Land area: 2.1 square miles
Population by Education
Glen Ellen is a small unincorporated community in Sonoma County, California. It is located in the Sonoma Valley, and is part of the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The town has an estimated population of 1,700 people. The majority of the population is white, with other minorities making up a small portion of the population. The median age in Glen Ellen is approximately 45 years old, with a median household income of $76,000. The town has a mix of rural and suburban lifestyles, with many residents commuting to nearby cities for work or leisure activities. There are numerous wineries and vineyards in the area that attract tourists from around the world. Additionally, there are many parks and recreational areas nearby that provide an array of outdoor activities for residents to enjoy. One popular destination for locals is Jack London State Historic Park which contains the ruins of author Jack London’s home and provides access to trails and camping areas. This park also serves as an important reminder of California’s rich history and culture.
For population 25 years and over in Glen Ellen
- High school or higher: 83.3%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 45.3%
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2%
- Unemployed: 3.5%
- Mean travel time to work: 27.2 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Glen Ellen CDP
- Never married: 38.1%
- Now married: 44.3%
- Separated: 2.0%
- Widowed: 7.0%
- Divorced: 8.6%
3.6% Foreign born (1.4% Europe, 0.9% Latin America, 0.8% Asia, 0.5% North America).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Glen Ellen:
- SONOMA DEVELOPMENT CENTER (about 2 miles; ELDRIDGE, CA)
- SONOMA VALLEY HEALTH CARE DISTRICT (about 8 miles; SONOMA, CA)
- SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 12 miles; SANTA ROSA, CA)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Glen Ellen:
- SONOMA COUNTY (about 21 miles; SANTA ROSA, CA; Abbreviation: STS)
- BUCHANAN FIELD (about 43 miles; CONCORD, CA; Abbreviation: CCR)
- TRAVIS AFB (about 44 miles; FAIRFIELD, CA; Abbreviation: SUU)
Other public-use airports nearest to Glen Ellen:
- PETALUMA MUNI (about 10 miles; PETALUMA, CA; Abbreviation: O69)
- SONOMA SKYPARK (about 11 miles; SONOMA, CA; Abbreviation: 0Q9)
- SONOMA VALLEY (about 13 miles; SCHELLVILLE/SONOMA, CA; Abbreviation: 0Q3)
Amtrak stations near Glen Ellen:
- 11 miles: PETALUMA (100 FAIRGROUNDS DR.) – Bus Station. Services: snack bar, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service.
- 13 miles: ROHNERT PARK (6480 REDWOOD DR.) – Bus Station. Services: fully wheelchair accessible, public restrooms, public payphones, full-service food facilities, free short-term parking, call for taxi service.
- 14 miles: SANTA ROSA (175 RAILROAD ST.) – Bus Station. Services: fully wheelchair accessible, public restrooms, public payphones, full-service food facilities, free short-term parking, call for taxi service.
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Glen Ellen:
- SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 12 miles; ROHNERT PARK, CA; Full-time enrollment: 6,445)
- SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE (about 16 miles; SANTA ROSA, CA; Full-time enrollment: 13,542)
- NAPA VALLEY COLLEGE (about 17 miles; NAPA, CA; Full-time enrollment: 3,558)
- COLLEGE OF MARIN (about 29 miles; KENTFIELD, CA; Full-time enrollment: 3,919)
- CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE (about 31 miles; SAN PABLO, CA; Full-time enrollment: 3,626)
- SOLANO COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (about 35 miles; SUISUN, CA; Full-time enrollment: 5,598)
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-BERKELEY (about 40 miles; BERKELEY, CA; Full-time enrollment: 29,690)
Public primary/middle school in Glen Ellen:
- DUNBAR ELEMENTARY (Students: 213; Location: 11700 DUNBAR ROAD; Grades: KG – 05)