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CITY · 2020 ACS

Novato

California · 53,225 residents · 27.369 sq mi
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The short version

Novato is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $101,629. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $804,900. With a median age of 45.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 29% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 45.3
US median: 38.8
More educated
46% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 47%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
53,225
+12%since 2000
from 47,630 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,945 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 1,740 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
45.3
+14%since 2000
from 39.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
47K49K52K54K56K1990201020202024Novato
202453K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$101,629
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,453 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$55,813
+72%since 2000
from $32,402 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
62.2%
+8.9 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
6.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services8%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.8%
US avg: 10%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, food3.2%
US avg: 2%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$804,900
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $364,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,975
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,146 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
66.1%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 67.6% in 2000
33.9% rent
Afford Score
7.9
+38%since 2000
from 5.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Novato on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic76.3%(36,336)
Black1.9%(893)
Hispanic / Latino13.1%(6,229)
Asian5.1%(2,442)
Other0%
Diversity Score44%(20,939)
2020
White, non-Hispanic57.9%(30,835)
Black2.6%(1,375)
Hispanic / Latino25.6%(13,615)
Asian7.3%(3,900)
Other6.9%(3,647)
Diversity Score73.8%(39,285)
Diversity Score
74
+68%since 2000
from 44 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
46.3%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 37.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 90.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
16.4%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.6 min
+18%since 2000
from 27.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
69.7%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 74.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.4%
−4.5 ptssince 2011
from 67.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
46.3%
−19.7 ptssince 2009
from 66.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Female
49.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Foreign born
20.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 21.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.0%
−87.3 ptssince 2013
from 90.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Novato to nearby cities

NOVATO VS
San Anselmo
Income$173,641+71%
Home value$1,576,700+96%
Population12,555−76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NOVATO VS
San Rafael
Income$119,435+18%
Home value$1,355,600+68%
Population59,410+14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NOVATO VS
Larkspur
Income$140,417+38%
Home value$1,996,600+148%
Population12,620−76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NOVATO VS
Corte Madera
Income$232,763+129%
Home value$1,755,200+118%
Population9,929−81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Novato, California?

Novato, California has about 53,225 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Novato, California?

The typical household in Novato, California earns about $101,629 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Novato, California expensive?

In Novato, California, the median home is worth about $804,900, and the typical rent is about $1,975 a month.

How educated are people in Novato, California?

About 46.3% of adults age 25 and over in Novato, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Novato, California?

About 6.4% of people in Novato, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Novato, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Novato, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,640 residents, a change of about 12 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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