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CITY

San Rafael

California · 59,410 residents (2025 est.) · 16.587 sq mi
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Part of the San Francisco metro area
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Notable rankings
#116Most expensive homesof 6,786$1,355,600
The short version

San Rafael is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $119,435. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $1,355,600. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.2
US median: 38.9
More educated
50% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 63%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
60,433
+8%since 2000
from 56,063 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,643 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 3,380 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.2
+12%since 2000
from 38.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:59,410 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
47K51K55K59K63K1990201020202024San Rafael
202460K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$119,435
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,994 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$70,031
+96%since 2000
from $35,762 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
66.8%
+18.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.511
+9%since 2010
from 0.471 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade10.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services6.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade4.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration4.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Arts, entertainment, food4.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,355,600
+63%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $457,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,377
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,040 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
53.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 53.8% in 2000
47.0% rent
Vacancy rate
4.2%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
31.5%
−9.9 ptssince 2009
from 41.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
56.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 54.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
11.4
+51%since 2000
from 7.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
55
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Rafael on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic65.9%(36,960)
Black2.1%(1,175)
Hispanic / Latino23.3%(13,070)
Asian5.5%(3,095)
Other0%
Diversity Score59.4%(33,291)
2024
White, non-Hispanic51.2%(30,956)
Black2.2%(1,313)
Hispanic / Latino35.5%(21,453)
Asian4.9%(2,980)
Other6.2%(3,731)
Diversity Score75.6%(45,694)
Diversity Score
76
+27%since 2000
from 59 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
49.7%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 43.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.8%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 84.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
21.8%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.3 min
+8%since 2000
from 23.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
48.3%
−13.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
5.6%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
26.3%
+19.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.5%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.7%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.4%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 6.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 66.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
44.8%
−21.7 ptssince 2009
from 66.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
50.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
28.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 26.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.1%
−46.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2012
from 9.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.7%
−79.9 ptssince 2013
from 86.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.6%
+10.3 ptssince 2017
from 84.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
61.9%
−2.5 ptssince 2016
from 64.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
28.3%
+3.0 ptssince 2016
from 25.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare San Rafael to nearby cities

SAN RAFAEL VS
Larkspur
Income$140,417+18%
Home value$1,996,600+47%
Population12,620−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN RAFAEL VS
Corte Madera
Income$232,763+95%
Home value$1,755,200+29%
Population9,929−83%
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SAN RAFAEL VS
San Anselmo
Income$173,641+45%
Home value$1,576,700+16%
Population12,555−79%
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SAN RAFAEL VS
Mill Valley
Income$206,212+73%
Home value$2,000,001+48%
Population13,799−77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Rafael, California?

San Rafael, California has about 60,433 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in San Rafael, California?

The typical household in San Rafael, California earns about $119,435 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is San Rafael, California expensive?

In San Rafael, California, the median home is worth about $1,355,600, and the typical rent is about $2,377 a month.

How educated are people in San Rafael, California?

About 49.7% of adults age 25 and over in San Rafael, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in San Rafael, California?

About 11.7% of people in San Rafael, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has San Rafael, California grown since 1990?

Yes, San Rafael, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 12,029 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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

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