Novato, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Novato, California had a total population of 52,546, the 178th largest city in California, with a median household income of $115,736, which is 17% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.9x the median household income.
Novato Quick Facts
How Novato 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 | 52,689 | 52,546 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $112,193 | $115,736 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $1,007,100 | $1,032,500 | +2.5% |
How Novato 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Novato 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 |
| 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+ |
| Fairfax | 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 Novato
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Placentia | 52,826 | $115,929 | $921,000 | 44.2% | 7.9% |
| Lincoln | 52,956 | $111,990 | $651,000 | 40.1% | 6.9% |
| Glendora | 50,926 | $113,569 | $862,700 | 38.8% | 7.3% |
| Diamond Bar | 53,355 | $108,281 | $902,200 | 52.8% | 10.0% |
| Arcadia | 55,170 | $113,516 | $1,441,800 | 57.4% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Novato is a mid-sized community located in California, within Marin County. The total population is 52,546. It ranks as the 178th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Novato is 47.5 years. This is 25% 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 Novato is $115,736. This is 17% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 43% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.6%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,032,500. Housing costs are 41% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 66.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Novato is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (54.6% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (6.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
48.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 89.0%. Notably, 18.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Novato, 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Novato, California?
Novato, California has a population of 52,546 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Novato, CA?
The median household income in Novato is $115,736, which is 43% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Novato, CA?
The poverty rate in Novato is 9.6%. This means approximately 5,027 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Novato, California?
Novato's population is 54.6% White, 2.4% Black, 28.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Novato, CA?
The median home value in Novato is $1,032,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.9x.
How educated is Novato, California?
48.9% of adults (25+) in Novato hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.