Mill Valley, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mill Valley, California had a total population of 14,012, the 417th largest city in California, with a median household income of $206,212, which is 108% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 108% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 75.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.7x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Mill Valley Quick Facts
How Mill Valley 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 | 14,330 | 14,012 | -2.2% |
| Median household income | $201,361 | $206,212 | No clear change (+2.4%) |
| Median home value¹ | $1,967,533 | $2,000,000+ | +1.7% |
| Median gross rent | $2,794 | $3,278 | No clear change (+17.3%) |
How Mill Valley 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: 80.1%
- Black: 0.7%
- Hispanic: 4.8%
- Asian: 8.3%
- Other: 1.2%
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: 1.3%
- HS Diploma: 7.2%
- Some College: 10.5%
- Associate's: 5.1%
- Bachelor's: 39.9%
- Graduate+: 35.9%
Mill Valley 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 |
| 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+ |
| Fairfax (Marin County) | 7,516 | $141,653 | 12.1% | $1,163,600 |
| Sausalito | 7,141 | $182,357 | 8.0% | $1,894,600 |
| Kentfield | 6,900 | $249,896 | 3.9% | $2,000,000+ |
Cities Similar to Mill Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo | 14,488 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 77.5% | 2.1% |
| Oak Park | 13,757 | $163,085 | $1,036,900 | 63.0% | 4.2% |
| San Marino | 12,216 | $214,167 | $2,000,000+ | 82.6% | 6.7% |
| Palos Verdes Estates | 12,925 | $242,014 | $2,000,000+ | 79.6% | 2.9% |
| Coto de Caza | 15,190 | $243,816 | $1,535,600 | 67.1% | 3.0% |
Population Overview
Mill Valley is a small city located in California, within Marin County. The total population is 14,012. It ranks as the 417th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mill Valley is 48.7 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 10.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mill Valley is $206,212. This is 108% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 155% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 51% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.8%. This is 33% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $2,000,000+. Housing costs are 172% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 66.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mill Valley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.1% of the population. Asian residents account for 8.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.1% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.8%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
75.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Mill Valley in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 105% 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 98.7%. Notably, 35.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mill Valley, 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 Mill Valley, California?
Mill Valley, California has a population of 14,012 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mill Valley, CA?
The median household income in Mill Valley is $206,212, which is 155% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mill Valley, CA?
The poverty rate in Mill Valley is 5.9%. This means approximately 826 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mill Valley, California?
Mill Valley's population is 80.1% White, 0.7% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mill Valley, CA?
The median home value in Mill Valley is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.7x.
How educated is Mill Valley, California?
75.8% of adults (25+) in Mill Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 35.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.