RANK #853 / 996 · POP 450,995 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.1%
Benicia, a historic waterfront city, stands out in Solano County, having served as California's state capital from 1853-1854. Located midway between San Francisco and Sacramento, Solano County offers a blend of rural and suburban living. Commute options include local and intercity bus services, passenger rail, and a ferry from Vallejo to San Francisco, which takes approximately an hour. The county boasts significant natural amenities, with rolling hillsides, fertile farmland, and extensive wetlands. Outdoor recreation opportunities are plentiful at Lake Berryessa for boating, swimming, and hiking, and Rush Ranch Open Space provides trails and wildlife viewing in a brackish tidal marsh.
Life in Solano County often appeals to families and commuters seeking a balance between accessibility to major urban centers and a more relaxed environment. The economy is diverse, supported by sectors such as advanced manufacturing, food and beverage, and biotechnology. Major investments are flowing into commercial and residential development, energy initiatives, and infrastructure improvements across the county. Educational opportunities are provided by several school districts, including Benicia Unified and Vacaville Unified.
Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
California Forever (New City, Manufacturing & Shipyard)
Flannery Associates
|
$49,000M | Proposed |
|
Highway 37 Widening (Sears Point-Mare Island)
Caltrans
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Corby Energy Storage Project
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC
|
$385M | Proposed |
|
I-80 Cordelia Truck Scales
Caltrans
|
$250M | Planned |
|
Solano 5 Wind Repower Project
SMUD
|
$94M | Proposed |
|
Solano 4 Wind Project
SMUD
|
$85M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Solano County has a Boom Town Index score of 14/100, ranking #853 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.4% and a median household income of $97,037, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Solano County is $549,100 with median rent at $1,981/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1767, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.4%. Home values changed -3.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.34% of Solano County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.