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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

San Rafael

California · 56,063 residents · 16.587 sq mi
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The short version

San Rafael is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $60,994. Population has grown 16% since 1990. 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $457,000. Households here earn about 28% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 38.5
US median: 35.2
More educated
44% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
56,063
+16%since 1990
from 48,404 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,380 / sq mi
+16%since 1990
from 2,918 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
38.5
+3%since 1990
from 37.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
47K51K55K59K63K1990201020202024San Rafael
202460K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,994
+10%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $41,922 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,762
+48%since 1990
from $24,230 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
10.2%
+2.1 ptssince 1990
from 8.1% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$457,000
+1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $342,700 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,040
+8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $730 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
53.8%
−0.7 ptssince 1990
from 54.5% in 1990
46.2% rent
Afford Score
7.5
−8%since 1990
from 8.2 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Rafael on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic83.8%(40,563)
Black3.1%(1,491)
Hispanic / Latino13.5%(6,517)
Asian5.3%(2,562)
Diversity Score54.1%(26,184)
2000
White, non-Hispanic65.9%(36,960)
Black2.1%(1,175)
Hispanic / Latino23.3%(13,070)
Asian5.5%(3,095)
Diversity Score59.4%(33,291)
Diversity Score
59
+10%since 1990
from 54 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
43.6%
+5.3 ptssince 1990
from 38.4% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
84.7%
−4.2 ptssince 1990
from 89.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
16.9%
+2.8 ptssince 1990
from 14.2% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.4 min
−12%since 1990
from 26.7 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to San Rafael

Brookhaven
Pop 59,643
Wellington
Pop 62,662
Dunwoody
Pop 51,792
Jupiter
Pop 62,350
Places similar to San Rafael
Head to head

Compare San Rafael to nearby cities

SAN RAFAEL VS
Larkspur
Income$140,417+130%
Home value$1,996,600+337%
Population12,620−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN RAFAEL VS
Corte Madera
Income$232,763+282%
Home value$1,755,200+284%
Population9,929−83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN RAFAEL VS
San Anselmo
Income$173,641+185%
Home value$1,576,700+245%
Population12,555−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN RAFAEL VS
Mill Valley
Income$206,212+238%
Home value$2,000,001+338%
Population13,799−77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Rafael, California?

San Rafael, California has about 56,063 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in San Rafael, California earns about $60,994 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 $457,000, and the typical rent is about $1,040 a month.

How educated are people in San Rafael, California?

About 43.6% 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 10.2% 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 7,659 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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

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