Sausalito, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sausalito, California had a total population of 7,141, the 573rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $182,357, which is 84% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 84% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 76.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 10.4x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
Sausalito Quick Facts
How Sausalito 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 | 7,171 | 7,141 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $173,030 | $182,357 | +5.4% |
| Median home value | $1,858,900 | $1,894,600 | +1.9% |
How Sausalito 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+)
Sausalito 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+ |
| Fairfax | 7,516 | $141,653 | 12.1% | $1,163,600 |
| Kentfield | 6,900 | $249,896 | 3.9% | $2,000,000+ |
Cities Similar to Sausalito
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Foothills | 7,139 | $199,375 | $1,346,100 | 54.0% | 5.5% |
| Ladera Heights | 7,334 | $167,065 | $1,661,600 | 58.1% | 10.9% |
| Westlake Village | 7,743 | $179,954 | $1,331,400 | 63.8% | 5.8% |
| San Martin | 6,954 | $158,250 | $1,430,600 | 36.6% | 7.9% |
| California Polytechnic State University | 7,915 | N/A | $564,700 | 77.5% | 7.5% |
Population Overview
Sausalito is a small city located in California, within Marin County. The total population is 7,141. It ranks as the 573rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sausalito is 55.6 years. This is 47% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 6.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.7% 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 Sausalito is $182,357. This is 84% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 126% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.0%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.1%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,894,600. Housing costs are 158% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 59.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sausalito is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (81.2% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.0%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (6.8%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
76.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Sausalito in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 106% 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 97.3%. Notably, 36.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sausalito, 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 Sausalito, California?
Sausalito, California has a population of 7,141 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sausalito, CA?
The median household income in Sausalito is $182,357, which is 126% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sausalito, CA?
The poverty rate in Sausalito is 8.0%. This means approximately 568 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sausalito, California?
Sausalito's population is 81.2% White, 0.4% Black, 8.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sausalito, CA?
The median home value in Sausalito is $1,894,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.4x.
How educated is Sausalito, California?
76.5% of adults (25+) in Sausalito hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 36.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.