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Woodland Specialist · Yolo County, California

Woodland: the Yolo County seat, with 170 years of working pride and a freeway position that earns its keep.

Founded 1853. County seat since 1862. Incorporated 1871. Downtown Historic District on the National Register. Spring Lake to Gibson Ranch to Monument Hills. Granular knowledge of every Woodland neighborhood from three decades of practice here.

1853
Year Woodland
Was Founded
$548K
2024 Median
Property Value
5.67%
2025 County-Wide
Assessment Growth
ALC
Accredited Land
Consultant since 2013
About Linda

Woodland is my home base in the residential market and the community I know most granularly.

My primary working presence is in Brooks, California, in the heart of the Capay Valley, but Woodland is the city where I have done the deepest residential work. I follow the Downtown Woodland Historic District, Spring Lake, Gibson Ranch, Monument Hills, Woodland West, Beamer Park, Beamer Park West, the Mill District, the Eastern Gateway, the Western Gateway, the Government Center area, the California Agriculture Museum area, Velocity Island, East Woodland, West Woodland, the College Street corridor, and the Main Street corridor. Each one has its own character, its own buyer pool, and its own pricing dynamics.

I hold the Accredited Land Consultant designation, earned in 2013 through the Realtors Land Institute. The ALC is the most rigorous land-focused credential available to real estate professionals in the United States. I pursued it because the agricultural and rural property work that defines my broader practice demands technical education that standard residential training does not provide. That same discipline applies to Woodland's historic district properties, its newer subdivisions with Mello-Roos and HOA structures, and the surrounding agricultural land that frames the city.

Before real estate, I worked in environmental science at Lawrence Livermore. That training shaped how I read land. When I evaluate a Woodland property, whether a Victorian downtown home, a Spring Lake new-construction parcel, or a Gibson Ranch resale, I am drawing on something built through three decades of doing this work and four decades of actually living in Yolo County.

Designations and Memberships
ALC · ABR · CRS · CDPE · CNE · SRES · SFR · Pre-Foreclosure Specialist
DRE License #01208519 · Member, Realtors Land Institute
National, California, and Yolo County Associations of REALTORS®
About Woodland

A 170-year-old working city that has earned its place as the Yolo County seat.

Woodland sits 20 miles northwest of Sacramento on the western Sacramento Valley floor. Population approximately 63,991 in 2026, up from 60,967 at the 2020 census. The city was founded in the winter of 1853 when Henry Wyckoff opened a small store in a dense grove of oak trees, originally calling the settlement Yolo City. Major F.S. Freeman bought the store and 160 acres in 1857, platted the town, and offered free lots to settlers willing to clear the land and build. The renamed Woodland became the Yolo County seat in 1862, was incorporated as a city in 1871, and has been the county's working agricultural, freight, and government center ever since.

What makes Woodland distinct in the broader Sacramento Valley landscape is the alignment between agricultural heritage, working civic identity, and freeway-anchored regional access. The Downtown Woodland Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Yolo County Fair has been held annually since 1935 and is the largest admission-free fair in California. Buyers drawn to Woodland are drawn to a city that has been doing something real for a long time and has the architecture, the institutions, and the community character to prove it.

By the Numbers

The structural advantages.

$548K
2024 Median Property Value

Up from $545,000 in 2023. Detached single-family houses average closer to $608,534. Steady annual appreciation rather than the spike-driven pattern seen in some California markets.

15 min
Drive Time to Davis

Highway 113 and Interstate 5 connect Woodland to Davis in approximately fifteen minutes. The proximity makes Woodland viable for UC Davis-affiliated households seeking affordability the Davis market cannot provide.

4
Intersecting Freeways

Interstate 5, Interstate 505, Interstate 80 (via short connector), and Highway 113. The freeway position is the city's foundational infrastructure advantage and a sustained driver of buyer demand.

170
Years of Working Identity

Founded 1853, county seat since 1862, incorporated 1871. The continuity gives Woodland a depth of architecture, institutions, and community character that planned communities cannot manufacture.

+15%
Year-Over-Year Inventory Growth

Woodland has seen the most meaningful inventory increase among Yolo County's primary communities, with listings up approximately 15% from the prior year. This is the market where buyers currently have the most optionality.

12 / 2 / 3
Elementary / Middle / High Schools

Woodland Joint Unified operates 12 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 comprehensive high schools. Plus Woodland Community College as a Yuba College campus, providing local two-year college access.

"
Woodland is the city I know most granularly. I follow Spring Lake new construction, Gibson Ranch resale, the Downtown Historic District renovations, Pioneer High School proximity decisions, and the daily evolution of every Woodland neighborhood. Three decades of being part of this market gives me a read on Woodland that buyers and sellers cannot get from generalist representation.
Linda Pillard · Accredited Land Consultant
Market Insights

What buyers and sellers most consistently underestimate about Woodland.

Woodland is often misread as either a Davis alternative or a Sacramento bedroom community. Neither framing captures what the city actually is. Woodland is the Yolo County seat, with 170 years of working pride, four intersecting freeways, and a residential market that operates with its own dynamics distinct from the surrounding communities.

01 · STEADY APPRECIATION

3 to 5 years of consistent price-per-square-foot increases.

Woodland has been in an increasing price environment for the past three to five years, with consistent appreciation on a price-per-square-foot basis even as transaction volume has pulled back from the pandemic peak. The local appraisal data shows the market shifting from stable to consistently increasing. Buyers waiting for conditions to improve are waiting for something that is not coming.

02 · MARKET STRUCTURE

$548,200 median value, 18-day median days on market.

The 2024 median property value is approximately $548,200, with recent Redfin reporting placing the median sale price at $540,000 and homes staying on the market a median of 18 days. Properties priced correctly from day one typically receive initial offers within 1 to 3 percent of list price and close near list.

03 · INVENTORY SHIFT

+15% inventory year-over-year, days on market normalized.

Woodland has seen the most meaningful inventory increase among the county's primary communities, with listings up approximately 15% from the prior year. Days on market are back to pre-pandemic levels. Sellers need to price with precision, and buyers can take a measured approach without the panic buying that characterized 2020 to 2022.

04 · DAVIS ALTERNATIVE

15-minute Davis commute at a fraction of Davis pricing.

Buyers priced out of Davis are increasingly finding Woodland as the alternative. The 15-minute Woodland-to-Davis commute makes Woodland viable for UC Davis employees seeking affordability the Davis market cannot provide. The trend has been accelerating in recent years as Davis affordability has compressed further.

05 · NEW CONSTRUCTION

Spring Lake adds inventory at approximately $694K.

Spring Lake new construction activity has added inventory in the approximately $694,000 range, which is among the most competitive new construction price points in the county for buyers seeking established infrastructure, school proximity, and modern systems. The Pioneer High School proximity has attracted families specifically because of school district considerations.

06 · FREEWAY ANCHORING

Four intersecting freeways drive sustained buyer demand.

Woodland's position at the intersection of Interstate 5, Interstate 505, Interstate 80 (via short connector), and Highway 113 produces commuter access that supports buyer demand from multiple employment center directions. Sacramento, Davis, the Bay Area, and points north all remain practical commutes, which sustains the buyer pool through changing economic conditions.

100 Insights

The deep file on Woodland.

The 1853 founding by Henry Wyckoff, the 1862 county seat designation, the 1885 Opera House, the 1917 Beaux Arts courthouse, the National Register Historic District, the Yolo County Fair continuous since 1935, Spring Lake new construction, Pioneer High School, the four intersecting freeways, and the specific neighborhoods that define how property is talked about within the city. Organized into ten categories. Open any one to read.

Market Fundamentals

The numbers and structural conditions that define how property trades in the Yolo County seat.

+
001

Median home value runs approximately $548,200 as of 2024.

The 2024 median property value in Woodland was approximately $548,200, up from $545,000 in 2023. The figure reflects steady annual appreciation rather than the spike-driven pattern seen in some California markets.

002

Detached single-family houses average closer to $608,534.

Detached single-family houses in Woodland average approximately $608,534, with townhouses or attached units averaging $655,052 and 2-unit structures averaging $298,898. The variance reflects the diversity of housing stock across the city's neighborhoods.

003

Median sale price was $540,000 in recent reporting.

Recent Redfin reporting placed the Woodland median sale price at approximately $540,000 with homes staying on the market a median of 18 days. The figure reflects a balanced market with measured buyer activity.

004

Median household income runs approximately $90,180.

The 2026 median household income in Woodland is approximately $90,180. The figure sits below the broader Yolo County median, reflecting Woodland's role as a working agricultural and service-sector hub rather than a professional commuter community.

005

County-wide assessment growth was 5.67% in 2025.

Yolo County-wide assessment growth reached 5.67% in 2025, with Woodland contributing meaningfully to that figure. The growth reflects steady appreciation across the residential market, even as transaction volume has pulled back from the pandemic peak.

006

Inventory has increased approximately 15% from the prior year.

Woodland has seen the most meaningful inventory increase among the county's primary communities, with listings up approximately 15% from the prior year in some analyses. This is the market where buyers currently have the most optionality and the most time to evaluate.

007

Days on market are back to pre-pandemic levels.

Days on market in Woodland have returned to pre-pandemic levels, meaning sellers need to price with precision and buyers can take a measured approach. The panic buying that characterized the 2020 to 2022 period is no longer the operating dynamic.

008

Homeownership rate runs approximately 58.7%.

Approximately 58.7% of Woodland households are owner-occupied. The figure is lower than Esparto and Winters, reflecting the larger city's substantial rental market and the presence of multifamily and condo inventory that smaller Yolo County communities lack.

009

Per capita income runs approximately $52,961.

Woodland's per capita income runs approximately $52,961. The figure reflects the city's mixed economy of agricultural, processing, government, and professional employment, with the county seat status drawing meaningful public-sector earnings.

010

Typical initial offer runs at or slightly below list price.

In Woodland, the typical initial offer is running at or slightly below list price, with negotiation ranges of 2 to 5 percent below list being reasonable in many situations. Correctly priced properties typically receive initial offers within 1 to 3 percent of list.

011

Median real estate property taxes are $4,500 to $6,000 annually.

Median real estate property taxes paid in Woodland range from approximately $4,500 to $6,000 annually for housing units with mortgages, varying by neighborhood, property type, and assessed value. Mello-Roos and special assessment districts apply in some of the newer subdivisions including Spring Lake.

012

Cost of living index is 101.8.

The December 2024 cost of living index in Woodland was 101.8, near the U.S. average of 100. The figure is meaningfully lower than Davis or San Francisco Bay Area communities and is part of what draws buyers seeking residential value within reasonable commuting distance of multiple employment centers.

013

Median gross rent is approximately $1,715.

Median gross rent in Woodland is approximately $1,715 per month. The rental market serves both UC Davis-affiliated households who want lower rent than Davis, and the city's substantial workforce community across agricultural, processing, and service sectors.

014

Selling without precise pricing costs sellers money.

The Woodland market is no longer so undersupplied that any listing will receive multiple offers regardless of price. The pricing conversation today is meaningfully different from three years ago. Sellers who price aggressively without market-specific data typically end up reducing and accepting less than they would have at a correct initial price.

015

New construction activity has increased Spring Lake inventory.

Spring Lake new construction activity has added inventory in the approximately $694,000 range, which is among the most competitive new construction price points in the county for buyers seeking established infrastructure, school proximity, and modern systems. The inventory shifts the dynamic for resale homes in nearby neighborhoods.

History

The 1853 founding, the courthouse history, the Opera House, and the deep agricultural identity that built Woodland.

+
016

Woodland was founded in 1853 by Henry Wyckoff.

In the winter of 1853, Henry Wyckoff settled in a dense grove of oak trees and opened a small store he named Yolo City. The location served travelers and farmers in the new Yolo County. The store sat on what is now the central part of Main Street.

017

The town was originally called Yolo City.

Wyckoff's original name for the settlement was Yolo City. The name persisted from the 1853 founding until 1859, when the first post office opened under the present name, suggested by the dense grove of oak trees that defined the location.

018

The town was renamed Woodland in 1859.

The name Woodland was adopted in 1859 when the first post office was opened. The new name was suggested by the dense oak grove that defined the original settlement location. Major F.S. Freeman, who had bought the store and 160 acres of land in 1857, served as the first Postmaster.

019

Frank Freeman platted the town and offered free lots to settlers.

Frank S. Freeman acquired Wyckoff's store and 160 acres in 1857. Freeman offered free lots to settlers who would clear the land and build homes, deliberately developing what he envisioned as a trading center for one of the richest grain-growing counties in the nation. The town layout was platted in 1863.

020

Woodland became the Yolo County seat in 1862.

The Yolo County seat transferred to Woodland from present-day West Sacramento, then known as Washington, in 1862. The small wooden building owned by Franklin S. Freeman became Yolo's interim courthouse. The county seat designation triggered a development boom that shaped the city's character ever since.

021

Woodland was incorporated on May 23, 1871.

The City of Woodland was formally incorporated on May 23, 1871. By incorporation, the city had grown from Wyckoff's solitary store into a substantial trading and shipping center serving the agricultural land that surrounded it.

022

The Woodland Opera House opened in 1885.

The Woodland Opera House opened in 1885, burned in 1892, and reopened in 1896. Notable performers who appeared on its stage included George M. Cohan and John Philip Sousa. The Opera House is now owned by the State of California and operates as a State Historic Park and active theater venue.

023

The first courthouse was built in 1864 on land donated by Frank Freeman.

Frank Freeman donated an entire city block, with boundaries at Court, North, Second, and Third Streets, for the first Yolo County Courthouse. The original 1864 structure was used for 37 years until condemned in 1911. The current Beaux Arts and Spanish Revival courthouse, designed by William Henry Weeks, was built in 1917.

024

The Downtown Woodland Historic District is on the National Register.

The entire Downtown Woodland Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a California Historical Landmark. The district preserves the Victorian and early 20th-century architecture that reflects Woodland's identity as the agricultural commercial center of the Sacramento Valley.

025

Woodland was once known as 'By Hell' according to the WPA Guide.

The WPA Guide to California documented that Woodland was known in the 1860s as a hamlet called 'By Hell,' a name derived from a local tavern keeper's favorite epithet. The rough early character was long replaced by the more refined commercial and civic identity that took hold after the 1862 county seat designation.

Environmental

The agricultural soils, Cache Creek hydrology, and Sacramento Valley climate that shape Woodland's setting.

+
026

Woodland sits at the edge of the Sacramento Valley floor.

Woodland occupies approximately 10.3 square miles of land on the western Sacramento Valley floor. The city's location at the intersection of agricultural, riparian, and developed land defines what surrounding parcels can support.

027

Cache Creek defines the regional hydrology.

Cache Creek flows through the broader Yolo County agricultural landscape and provided the original irrigation water that supported the area's grain growing. The creek system continues to shape agricultural water rights and the regional water management framework.

028

The soils are among California's most productive agricultural lands.

Yolo County's soils support some of California's most productive agricultural acreage, with the county recognized as one of the state's leading crop producers. Rice, processed tomatoes, wheat, beet sugar, vegetables, fruit, and olives all come from the surrounding agricultural land.

029

Population density is approximately 6,107 people per square mile.

Within Woodland's 10.3 square miles, population density runs approximately 6,107 people per square mile. The density drops sharply outside the city boundaries into the surrounding agricultural land, which is largely preserved through Williamson Act enrollment and county zoning.

030

The Mediterranean climate produces warm dry summers and cool wet winters.

Woodland experiences the Mediterranean climate typical of the Sacramento Valley, with warm dry summers and cool wet winters. The growing degree days support a diverse range of crops, and the climate has historically been favorable for the agricultural processing that built much of the city's industrial base.

031

Sacramento International Airport sits 8 miles east.

Sacramento International Airport is located approximately 8 miles east of Woodland. The proximity supports the city's role as a freight and logistics hub and provides convenient air travel access for residents.

032

The land is uniformly flat and agricultural in character.

Woodland sits on the uniformly flat valley floor, with no significant topographic features within the city limits. The flat geography supports the grid street pattern, the agricultural processing industries, and the bike and pedestrian infrastructure that has developed across the city.

033

Flood considerations apply to specific neighborhoods.

Portions of Woodland sit within FEMA-designated flood zones reflecting the historical flooding patterns of Cache Creek and the broader Sacramento Valley drainage. Buyers should review the specific flood zone designation for any property they are evaluating, as the designation affects insurance requirements and premiums.

Lifestyle

The working pride, agricultural heritage, and community character that make Woodland feel like the genuine article.

+
034

Woodland's personality is working pride.

Woodland is a city that has been doing something real for a long time. Agriculture, freight, processing, distribution. The historic downtown reflects that industrial confidence in buildings constructed to last, not to impress. People who have lived in Woodland for decades have a directness and a community investment that planned communities cannot manufacture.

035

The Yolo County Fair has been held annually since 1935.

The Yolo County Fair has been held annually in Woodland since 1935 and is the largest admission-free fair in California. The fair anchors the city's connection to its agricultural identity and draws community members from across the county each summer.

036

The Woodland Farmers Market reflects the agricultural heritage.

The Woodland Farmers Market is primarily attended by Woodland residents and reflects the agricultural heritage of the county seat in produce variety, vendor character, and community atmosphere. For buyers moving to Woodland who want to understand the city's relationship to its agricultural identity, the farmers market is the most efficient introduction available.

037

The California Agriculture Museum houses the Heidrick collection.

The 45,000 square foot California Agriculture Museum in Woodland contains the world-class Heidrick collection of approximately 100 antique tractors, trucks, and farm machinery. The museum holds annual events including 'Tractors and Brews' at the end of October that draw visitors from across the region.

038

The Woodland Opera House continues as an active theater venue.

The 1885 Woodland Opera House, owned by the State of California, continues as an active theater troupe performing multiple musicals each season. The venue also operates as a theater arts teaching facility. The combination of historic architecture and active programming gives the Opera House contemporary cultural relevance beyond its heritage value.

039

Downtown walking tours document the architectural variety.

City Hall and the Woodland Chamber of Commerce sell the 'Explore Historic Woodland' walking tour booklet for $15. The booklet features ten different walking tours documenting the wide range of architectural styles found across downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

040

The newer Spring Lake neighborhood has a suburban character.

The newer neighborhoods like Spring Lake have a suburban character with parks and community amenities that exists comfortably alongside the older core. The contrast between the established downtown and the newer subdivisions is part of what gives Woodland its layered character.

041

Yolo County Library has a branch in Woodland.

The Yolo County Library system has a branch in Woodland alongside branches in Davis, Winters, West Sacramento, and smaller communities. Library quality and programming is a dimension of community life that school-focused buyers sometimes overlook, but matters meaningfully for families.

042

Hays Antique Truck Museum adds to the heritage attractions.

The Hays Antique Truck Museum is among the local attractions that document Woodland's history as a freight and transportation hub. The museum is part of the broader cluster of heritage attractions that gives the city its distinctive cultural offering relative to other Yolo County communities.

043

The Yolo County Historical Museum preserves regional heritage.

The Yolo County Historical Museum operates in Woodland, documenting the broader county's history from indigenous Patwin presence through the agricultural settlement period and into the modern era. The museum is a resource for residents and a destination for visitors interested in the regional story.

044

Restaurant and dining options have grown around the downtown.

Woodland's downtown supports a growing collection of restaurants, breweries, and dining options that complement the historic architecture. The food scene is less marketing-oriented than Davis or the Bay Area food destinations but offers genuine local options that residents use routinely.

045

Civic and community life is unusually active.

Woodland supports unusually active civic organizations, community boards, and volunteer infrastructure. The combination of long-tenure residents who are invested in the city and newer arrivals seeking community connection produces civic life with meaningful weight in how the city continues to develop.

Infrastructure

The freeway position, water and sewer systems, and infrastructure that define daily life in Woodland.

+
046

Woodland's freeway position is foundational.

Woodland sits at the intersection of Interstate 5, Interstate 505, Interstate 80 (via short connector), and Highway 113. The freeway access connects Woodland to Sacramento (20 miles), Davis (15 minutes), the Bay Area, and points north along Interstate 5. The commuter access is one of the city's defining infrastructure advantages.

047

Municipal water and sewer serve the city.

The City of Woodland operates municipal water and sewer systems serving residences and businesses within city limits. Rural parcels in the surrounding agricultural areas rely on private wells and septic systems with associated capacity and regulatory considerations.

048

Sacramento International Airport sits 8 miles east.

Sacramento International Airport is approximately 8 miles east of Woodland via Interstate 5. The proximity supports both personal travel and the city's role as a freight and logistics center.

049

Broadband and cell coverage are well-established within city limits.

Within Woodland's city boundaries, broadband internet access and cell phone coverage are well-established across multiple carriers. Coverage on rural parcels in the surrounding agricultural areas can be more variable depending on location and carrier.

050

The historic downtown supports a complete commercial infrastructure.

Downtown Woodland houses retail, restaurants, professional services, government offices, the Yolo County Courthouse, and the Opera House within a compact district. The infrastructure density downtown is meaningful for residents who want urban-pattern daily life within a smaller city scale.

Schools

The Woodland Joint Unified School District serves the city with 12 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 3 high schools, and a community college.

+
051

Woodland Joint Unified School District serves the city.

Woodland Joint Unified School District (WJUSD) is the public school district serving the City of Woodland and surrounding areas. The district draws meaningful comparison questions from parents weighing Woodland against Davis.

052

The district operates 12 elementary schools.

Woodland Joint Unified operates 12 elementary schools across the city, distributing K-6 enrollment across neighborhood-scale campuses. The geographic spread allows most families to access an elementary school within reasonable proximity to their residence.

053

Two middle schools serve grades 7 and 8.

Two middle schools, Douglass Middle School and Lee Middle School, serve grades 7 and 8 in the Woodland Joint Unified system. The two-campus structure provides scale efficiency while keeping classes at manageable sizes.

054

Three comprehensive high schools serve the district.

Pioneer High School, Woodland High School, and Cache Creek High School constitute the three comprehensive high schools in WJUSD. Pioneer draws the most parental questions and the new development near Pioneer has attracted families specifically because of that proximity.

055

Strong agricultural and vocational programs reflect the heritage.

The Woodland Joint Unified district has genuine strengths including strong agricultural and vocational programs that reflect the community's heritage. The district recognizes that not every student is on a four-year university track, and the vocational pathways serve the local economy directly.

056

Class sizes benefit from smaller enrollment than Sacramento metro districts.

Woodland Joint Unified class sizes benefit from the district's smaller enrollment base compared to the Sacramento metro area districts. The smaller scale supports student-teacher relationships and individual attention that larger district structures cannot consistently provide.

057

Pioneer High School draws families to nearby new development.

Pioneer High School is the WJUSD campus that draws the most parental questions, and new development near Pioneer has attracted families specifically because of that proximity. The school-property relationship is a meaningful component of how the surrounding Spring Lake and adjacent residential areas have grown.

058

Woodland Community College is a Yuba College campus.

Woodland Community College operates as a campus of Yuba College, providing local two-year college access for Woodland residents. The community college serves as a pathway both to four-year transfer programs and to direct vocational and technical certifications.

059

Private school options exist within the city.

Woodland supports private school options alongside the public school district. Families with specific religious, educational philosophy, or instructional preferences have alternatives within the city, expanding the practical educational choice set.

060

UC Davis is approximately 15 minutes away.

UC Davis is approximately 15 minutes from Woodland under most traffic conditions, accessible via Highway 113 and Interstate 5. The proximity supports both families considering university pathways for their children and Woodland residents employed by UC Davis.

061

Sacramento State and Sierra College sit within practical range.

California State University Sacramento and Sierra College both sit within practical driving distance of Woodland. The combination of regional higher education access provides educational pathways from community college through doctoral programs without requiring residence relocation.

062

The district reflects the demographic profile of the city.

Woodland Joint Unified enrollment reflects the broader demographic mix of the city, with substantial Hispanic enrollment alongside other ethnic groups. The district has invested in dual-immersion and bilingual programs that serve the city's linguistic diversity.

Land & Development

The General Plan, Spring Lake growth, historic district protections, and the land use framework that shapes Woodland's development.

+
063

The Woodland General Plan governs city growth.

The City of Woodland General Plan governs growth and development within city limits. The plan has accommodated meaningful expansion in recent decades while preserving the historic core character and surrounding agricultural land from sprawl.

064

Spring Lake represents the largest recent expansion.

Spring Lake is the largest new subdivision area to come online in Woodland in recent decades. The development has added substantial new housing inventory in the approximately $694,000 price range with established infrastructure, school proximity, and modern construction standards.

065

The Downtown Woodland Historic District protects the central core.

The Downtown Woodland Historic District protects the central commercial and civic core. Properties within the district carry preservation considerations affecting renovation, signage, and use changes, but they also benefit from the National Register designation that supports the district's value as a whole.

066

Wild Wings and other planned developments have HOAs.

Wild Wings is among the planned developments in Woodland that operate with homeowners associations. HOAs are not common across the broader Yolo County rural and agricultural territory, but they appear consistently in the newer Woodland residential communities, condominium projects, and planned developments.

067

Mello-Roos and special assessments apply in some newer subdivisions.

Some newer Woodland subdivisions including portions of Spring Lake carry Mello-Roos special assessments and community facilities district charges. These costs are in addition to standard property taxes and can meaningfully affect total carrying costs. Buyers should review the specific assessments for any property they are evaluating.

068

Population is projected to reach 71,250 by 2025.

The City of Woodland and Yolo County have been working together to meet increasing residential housing demand, with Woodland's population projected to reach 71,250 by 2025 according to Chamber of Commerce projections. Current actual population sits at approximately 63,991 in 2026, somewhat below the projection.

069

Surrounding agricultural land is largely Williamson Act protected.

Most agricultural land surrounding Woodland is enrolled in the Williamson Act, providing both property tax benefits and development restrictions. The contracts limit non-agricultural use and require a ten-year exit process. The protection has limited the sprawl pressure that would otherwise transform the agricultural fringe.

070

Yolo County General Plan governs the surrounding agricultural land.

The Yolo County General Plan governs land use decisions on the agricultural land surrounding Woodland. The county plan, combined with Williamson Act contracts and farmland preservation provisions, has produced a deliberate boundary between the city's residential footprint and the agricultural land that surrounds it.

Demographics

Population, household composition, ethnicity, and the demographic profile of the Yolo County seat.

+
071

Current population is approximately 63,991.

Woodland had an estimated 2026 population of approximately 63,991, up from 60,967 at the 2020 census. The city is the largest in Yolo County and the second largest after Davis when measured by various definitions.

072

Population has grown 4.96% since 2020.

Since the 2020 census, Woodland's population has increased by approximately 4.96%. The growth has been steady rather than spike-driven, supported by ongoing residential development and migration into the city.

073

The city is growing at approximately 0.79% annually.

Woodland is growing at an annual rate of approximately 0.79%. The pace is slower than Winters (1.99-2.16%) but reflects steady, measured growth appropriate to a larger established city.

074

Median age is approximately 36.6 years.

The median age in Woodland is approximately 36.6 years, with 37.5 years for females and 35.7 years for males. The age distribution reflects a city with both established families and ongoing migration from working-age households.

075

White residents are approximately 43.78% of the population.

Woodland's racial composition shows approximately 43.78% White residents, 18.13% identifying as 'other race,' 8.82% Asian, and meaningful representation across additional racial and ethnic groups. The mix reflects the city's broader demographic diversity.

076

Hispanic residents are a substantial demographic component.

Hispanic residents make up a substantial portion of Woodland's population, reflecting the deep multi-generational relationship between the agricultural economy of the surrounding Yolo County land and the workforce communities that have built lives in the area.

077

Foreign-born residents represent approximately 21.8% of the population.

Approximately 21.8% of Woodland residents are foreign-born, with substantial origins from Latin America and other regions. The figure reflects both the agricultural workforce community and the more recent inflow of international professionals.

078

Median household income runs $90,180.

The 2026 median household income in Woodland is approximately $90,180. The figure sits below the broader Yolo County median, reflecting the city's working-class and middle-income profile.

079

Households led by 45-64 year olds earn $104,405 median.

Households in Woodland led by residents aged 45 to 64, often well-established professionally, earn a median income of approximately $104,405. Younger households (under 25) report a median income of $58,203, while those led by someone over 65 have approximately $62,060 in earnings.

080

Poverty rate runs approximately 8.23%.

Woodland's poverty rate runs approximately 8.23%, below the broader California average. The poverty rate reflects the city's stable working-class and middle-income demographic profile, supported by diverse employment in agricultural processing, government, healthcare, and education.

Investment

Steady appreciation, freeway access advantages, and the structural reasons Woodland continues to attract investment.

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081

Woodland appreciation has been steady for three to five years.

Woodland has been in an increasing price environment for the past three to five years, with consistent appreciation in price per square foot even as transaction volume has pulled back from the pandemic peak. The trajectory is steady rather than spike-driven.

082

Local appraisal data shows shifting from stable to consistently increasing.

The local appraisal data shows Woodland shifting from stable to consistently increasing on a price-per-square-foot basis. The shift is a meaningfully positive signal for sellers and a cost-of-delay signal for buyers waiting for conditions to improve.

083

Conditions are not improving for buyers who wait.

Buyers waiting for Woodland to soften further are waiting for something that is not coming based on current data. The increased inventory has not translated into price softening because the underlying buyer demand remains steady and the structural appreciation drivers remain in place.

084

Buyers priced out of Davis are increasingly finding Woodland.

Buyers priced out of Davis are increasingly discovering Woodland as the alternative providing comparable services within practical commuting distance. The 15-minute Woodland-to-Davis commute makes Woodland viable for UC Davis employees seeking affordability the Davis market cannot provide.

085

The freeway position is a sustained investment advantage.

Woodland's position at the intersection of I-5, I-505, I-80, and Highway 113 provides commuter access that supports sustained buyer demand from multiple employment center directions. The infrastructure advantage is not retracing and continues to support long-term appreciation.

086

Inventory increase has not translated to price decreases.

Despite the approximately 15% inventory increase in some analyses, Woodland prices have continued to appreciate. The dynamic reflects that the pandemic-era undersupply was not the only driver of appreciation. The structural drivers including freeway access, employment proximity, and relative affordability continue to support pricing.

087

Spring Lake new construction has expanded the buyer pool.

Spring Lake new construction in the approximately $694,000 range has expanded the buyer pool for Woodland by offering modern infrastructure and energy efficiency to buyers who value those features. The expansion supports overall market depth rather than competing with resale inventory.

088

1031 exchange activity is steady.

Section 1031 exchange activity is steady in Woodland as investment owners reposition portfolios, defer capital gains, and consolidate or diversify holdings. The city's mix of residential, commercial, and adjacent agricultural opportunities provides multiple exchange pathways for sellers and buyers.

089

Rental demand remains strong from UC Davis-affiliated households.

Rental demand in Woodland remains strong from UC Davis-affiliated households seeking lower rent than Davis itself provides. The demographic produces a stable rental investment market with predictable tenancy patterns and long-term occupancy.

090

Property tax base growth has been steady.

The Yolo County assessment roll has grown for thirteen consecutive years, with Woodland contributing meaningfully to that growth. The city's residential and commercial assessed value increases reflect both new construction and steady appreciation across the existing inventory.

Hyper-Local

The specific neighborhoods, districts, and corridors that define how property is talked about within Woodland.

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091

Woodland ZIP codes are 95695 and 95776.

Woodland's primary ZIP codes are 95695 for most of the city and 95776 for portions of the eastern Woodland area. The ZIP boundaries correspond approximately to mail delivery routes rather than neighborhood identities.

092

The Downtown Woodland Historic District anchors the city's identity.

The Downtown Woodland Historic District covers the historic commercial and civic core including the Yolo County Courthouse, the Opera House, and surrounding Victorian and early 20th-century architecture. Properties within the district carry both preservation considerations and the cultural cachet of the National Register designation.

093

Spring Lake is the newer suburban expansion area.

Spring Lake is the newer residential expansion area in southern Woodland, characterized by 2000s-era and newer construction, parks, and community amenities. The area attracts families seeking modern infrastructure and Pioneer High School proximity.

094

Gibson Ranch offers solid value at the mid-range.

Gibson Ranch offers solid value at the entry to mid-range of the Woodland price spectrum, with 1990s construction that has held up well and a neighborhood that feels settled rather than transitional. The community is a recurring recommendation for first-time buyers and move-up families.

095

Monument Hills and Woodland West are established neighborhoods.

Monument Hills and Woodland West are established residential neighborhoods with their own distinct character, mix of construction eras, and resident profiles. Each neighborhood has its own pricing patterns and buyer pools that experienced agents recognize.

096

Beamer Park and Beamer Park West serve specific buyer pools.

Beamer Park and Beamer Park West are residential communities within Woodland with their own design character and price points. The communities reflect specific eras of subdivision activity and serve buyer pools seeking the particular characteristics each provides.

097

The Mill District represents adaptive reuse and modern character.

The Mill District represents adaptive reuse of former industrial property into mixed-use residential and commercial space. The district adds a contemporary urban-loft character to Woodland's housing mix that complements the historic Victorian and the suburban Spring Lake offerings.

098

Eastern Gateway and Western Gateway are commercial corridors.

The Eastern Gateway and Western Gateway are commercial corridors marking the entry points to Woodland from Interstate 5 and Highway 113. These corridors have seen evolving commercial development over the past several decades, with some areas in transition.

099

The College Street and Main Street corridors anchor downtown access.

College Street and Main Street are the primary corridors anchoring access to and through downtown Woodland. Properties along these corridors carry their own character including period architecture, mixed use, and proximity to the downtown core.

100

Velocity Island and the California Agriculture Museum area are distinct subareas.

Velocity Island, located in the broader Woodland area, and the surrounding California Agriculture Museum area constitute distinct geographic sub-references in how local buyers and sellers talk about specific locations within Woodland. Both areas have their own character and their own market dynamics.

Why Linda for Woodland

Granular neighborhood knowledge, three decades of practice, and the willingness to tell the truth.

I know Woodland neighborhood by neighborhood.

Downtown Historic District. Spring Lake. Gibson Ranch. Monument Hills. Woodland West. Beamer Park. Mill District. East and West Woodland. Each neighborhood has its own character, its own buyer pool, and its own pricing dynamics. I can tell you which one matches what you are looking for, and which one would frustrate you. That granularity matters in a market this layered.

The credential the work requires.

The Accredited Land Consultant designation is the most rigorous land-focused credential available. I earned it in 2013 because the agricultural and rural property work that defines my broader practice demands technical education that standard residential training does not provide. The credential matters in Woodland for the historic district properties, the new construction with Mello-Roos, and the surrounding agricultural land at the city fringe.

Three decades of pricing precision.

The Woodland market is no longer so undersupplied that any listing will receive multiple offers regardless of price. Today, sellers need pricing precision. I have priced Woodland properties through multiple market cycles. The discipline that produces correctly-priced listings that move at or near list is built from sustained practice, not from reading market reports.

Honest pricing, even when it costs me the listing.

I do not take listings at prices I know are unrealistic in order to win the listing and then manage the seller through a series of reductions. I have had sellers fire me for giving them an honest price recommendation, only to return years later after multiple other agents failed to sell at the higher price. The market is not a patient teacher. It is a ruthless judge.

More Across Linda's Yolo County Territory

Woodland is the seat. The rest of Yolo County extends from here.

Woodland is part of a broader Yolo County practice. Each area below has its own dedicated authority site with locally specific market data, history, and insights. The Authority Center brings everything together.

Frequently Asked

What buyers and sellers ask first about Woodland.

What makes Woodland distinct as the Yolo County seat?
Woodland is the Yolo County seat, designated in 1862 and incorporated as a city in 1871. Unlike Davis or Winters, Woodland has been a working agricultural and commercial center for 170 years, with a historic downtown listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city sits at the intersection of I-5, I-505, I-80, and Highway 113, which makes it commute-viable to Sacramento, Davis, the Bay Area, and points north. Working pride is the personality. Agriculture, freight, processing, and government employment anchor the local economy.
What is the typical price range for property in Woodland?
The 2024 median property value in Woodland was approximately $548,200, with detached single-family houses averaging closer to $608,534. Recent Redfin reporting placed the median sale price at approximately $540,000 with homes staying on the market a median of 18 days. Spring Lake new construction is adding inventory in the approximately $694,000 range. The price range varies meaningfully by neighborhood, with Downtown Historic District, Spring Lake, Gibson Ranch, and Monument Hills each carrying their own pricing dynamics.
Why are buyers priced out of Davis increasingly choosing Woodland?
Woodland sits approximately 15 minutes from Davis under most traffic conditions, accessible via Highway 113 and Interstate 5. The Woodland median price runs meaningfully below Davis, providing more home for the budget. For buyers who work at UC Davis or want Davis-adjacent access without Davis prices, Woodland is the most practical alternative. The trend has been accelerating in recent years as Davis affordability has continued to compress.
What school district serves Woodland?
Woodland Joint Unified School District serves the City of Woodland and surrounding areas, operating 12 elementary schools, 2 middle schools (Douglass and Lee), and 3 comprehensive high schools (Pioneer, Woodland, and Cache Creek). The district has genuine strengths including strong agricultural and vocational programs reflecting the community heritage, alongside class sizes that benefit from a smaller enrollment base than Sacramento metro districts. Pioneer High School draws the most parental questions, and new development near Pioneer has attracted families specifically because of that proximity.
What is the Downtown Woodland Historic District?
The Downtown Woodland Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a California Historical Landmark. The district covers the historic commercial and civic core including the Yolo County Courthouse (built 1917 in Beaux Arts and Spanish Revival style), the 1885 Woodland Opera House, and the Victorian and early 20th-century architecture that surrounds them. Properties within the district carry preservation considerations affecting renovation and use changes, alongside the cultural cachet and durable value that comes with the National Register designation.
How is the Woodland market different from three years ago?
The Woodland market has shifted from the pandemic-era undersupply when any listing would receive multiple offers regardless of price. Today, inventory is up approximately 15% from the prior year in some analyses, days on market are back to pre-pandemic levels, and the pricing conversation with sellers is meaningfully different. Buyers currently have the most optionality and the most time to evaluate. Sellers need to price with precision. The structural appreciation drivers including freeway access, employment proximity, and relative affordability continue to support steady value growth, but the panic dynamics are gone.
Ready to Talk About Your Property?

Woodland is layered. A correct read depends on knowing which neighborhood you are actually in.

If you are thinking about buying or selling in Woodland, the first conversation is simple. Where are you in this journey, what matters most, and how I can help. No pressure. Just an honest read of your situation from someone who has been doing this work in Woodland for three decades.