Novato city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Novato city is a mid-sized community located in California. The total population is 52,689. It ranks as the 176th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Novato city is 47.8 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Novato city is $112,193. This is 16% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 43% higher. The poverty rate stands at 9.0%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $1,007,100. Housing costs are 45% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 65.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Novato city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (56.4% vs 34.6%). The Asian population (6.5%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

47.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.8%. Notably, 18.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Novato city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.