Fairfax (Marin County), California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairfax (Marin County), California had a total population of 7,516, the 555th largest town in California, with a median household income of $141,653, which is 43% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 70.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.2x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 10.2% is notably above the national average.
Fairfax (Marin County) Quick Facts
How Fairfax (Marin County) Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,578 | 7,516 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $128,144 | $141,653 | No clear change (+10.5%) |
| Median home value¹ | $1,045,856 | $1,163,600 | +11.3% |
| Median gross rent | $2,322 | $2,367 | No clear change (+1.9%) |
How Fairfax (Marin County) Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 80.3%
- Black: 2.0%
- Hispanic: 6.8%
- Asian: 3.2%
- Other: 0.7%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 1.7%
- HS Diploma: 7.1%
- Some College: 15.0%
- Associate's: 6.1%
- Bachelor's: 42.3%
- Graduate+: 27.8%
Fairfax (Marin County) Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Marin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Rafael | 60,433 | $119,435 | 11.7% | $1,355,600 |
| Novato | 52,546 | $115,736 | 9.6% | $1,032,500 |
| Mill Valley | 14,012 | $206,212 | 5.9% | $2,000,000+ |
| Larkspur | 12,854 | $140,417 | 7.0% | $1,996,600 |
| San Anselmo | 12,679 | $173,641 | 7.4% | $1,576,700 |
| Tamalpais-Homestead Valley | 12,085 | $243,227 | 3.3% | $1,863,900 |
| Corte Madera | 10,077 | $232,763 | 4.6% | $1,755,200 |
| Tiburon | 9,012 | $232,969 | 1.9% | $2,000,000+ |
| Sausalito | 7,141 | $182,357 | 8.0% | $1,894,600 |
| Kentfield | 6,900 | $249,896 | 3.9% | $2,000,000+ |
Cities Similar to Fairfax (Marin County)
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Polytechnic State University | 7,915 | N/A | $564,700 | 77.5% | 7.5% |
| Winters | 7,583 | $122,951 | $633,900 | 31.7% | 8.8% |
| Ladera Heights | 7,334 | $167,065 | $1,661,600 | 58.1% | 10.9% |
| Cotati | 7,489 | $110,750 | $746,800 | 37.6% | 8.2% |
| San Martin | 6,954 | $158,250 | $1,430,600 | 36.6% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Fairfax (Marin County) is a small city located in California, within Marin County. The total population is 7,516. It ranks as the 555th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairfax (Marin County) is 48.7 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairfax (Marin County) is $141,653. This is 43% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 75% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.1%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 10.2%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,163,600. Housing costs are 58% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 68.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairfax (Marin County) is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.3% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.8%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
70.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Fairfax (Marin County) in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 89% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.3%. Notably, 27.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairfax (Marin County), California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fairfax (Marin County), California?
Fairfax (Marin County), California has a population of 7,516 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairfax (Marin County), CA?
The median household income in Fairfax (Marin County) is $141,653, which is 75% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairfax (Marin County), CA?
The poverty rate in Fairfax (Marin County) is 12.1%. This means approximately 905 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairfax (Marin County), California?
Fairfax (Marin County)'s population is 80.3% White, 2.0% Black, 6.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairfax (Marin County), CA?
The median home value in Fairfax (Marin County) is $1,163,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.2x.
How educated is Fairfax (Marin County), California?
70.1% of adults (25+) in Fairfax (Marin County) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.