Fairfax, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairfax, 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%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 Quick Facts
How Fairfax Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,523 | 7,516 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $131,875 | $141,653 | +7.4% |
| Median home value | $1,121,500 | $1,163,600 | +3.8% |
How Fairfax Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
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+)
Fairfax 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
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 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 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 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 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 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, 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, California?
Fairfax, 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, CA?
The median household income in Fairfax is $141,653, which is 75% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairfax, CA?
The poverty rate in Fairfax is 12.1%. This means approximately 905 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairfax, California?
Fairfax'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, CA?
The median home value in Fairfax is $1,163,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.2x.
How educated is Fairfax, California?
70.1% of adults (25+) in Fairfax hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.