San Rafael, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, San Rafael, California had a total population of 60,433, the 154th largest city in California, with a median household income of $119,435, which is 20% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 11.4x the median household income.
San Rafael Quick Facts
How San Rafael 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 | 58,775 | 60,433 | +2.8% |
| Median household income | $112,908 | $119,435 | No clear change (+5.8%) |
| Median home value¹ | $1,136,066 | $1,355,600 | +19.3% |
| Median gross rent | $2,384 | $2,377 | No clear change (-0.3%) |
How San Rafael 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: 51.2%
- Black: 2.2%
- Hispanic: 35.5%
- Asian: 4.9%
- Other: 1.2%
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+)
- < High School: 15.2%
- HS Diploma: 13.7%
- Some College: 15.6%
- Associate's: 5.8%
- Bachelor's: 27.9%
- Graduate+: 21.8%
San Rafael Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Marin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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+ |
| 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 San Rafael
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | 61,607 | $115,475 | $1,209,000 | 57.6% | 17.0% |
| Petaluma | 59,247 | $115,430 | $878,600 | 43.8% | 6.5% |
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | $727,200 | 35.0% | 7.9% |
| Gilroy | 59,004 | $133,107 | $1,027,400 | 29.3% | 6.7% |
| Fountain Valley | 56,258 | $115,237 | $1,072,300 | 46.4% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
San Rafael is a mid-sized community located in California, within Marin County. The total population is 60,433. It ranks as the 154th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in San Rafael is 43.2 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in San Rafael is $119,435. This is 20% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 48% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,355,600. Housing costs are 85% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 11.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 53.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in San Rafael is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 35.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (51.2% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
49.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 84.8%. Notably, 21.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, California?
San Rafael, California has a population of 60,433 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in San Rafael, CA?
The median household income in San Rafael is $119,435, which is 48% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in San Rafael, CA?
The poverty rate in San Rafael is 11.7%. This means approximately 6,877 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of San Rafael, California?
San Rafael's population is 51.2% White, 2.2% Black, 35.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in San Rafael, CA?
The median home value in San Rafael is $1,355,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 11.4x.
How educated is San Rafael, California?
49.7% of adults (25+) in San Rafael hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.