City · California
San Rafael, California
San Rafael, city, in Marin County, California. San Rafael had 59,410 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 61,271 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 60,433 (±83). GEOID 0668364.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
59,410
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 61,271 · ACS 2020-2024: 60,433 ±83
Median household income
$119,435
±$8,545 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$1,355,600
±$62,301 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$2,377
±$73 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is San Rafael and what county is it in?
San Rafael is a city in Marin County, California. It covers 16.6 square miles of land, 3,694 residents per square mile in 2020.
San Rafael is in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in San Rafael, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 59,410 people lived in San Rafael on July 1, 2025, down 3.0% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 61,271 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 60,433 (±83).
| Measure | San Rafael | Marin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 60,433 ±83 | 257,969 | +1,658 |
| Households | 22,910 ±756 | 103,018 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.54 ±0.08 | 2.44 | +0.12 |
| Housing units | 23,909 ±721 | 112,116 | no clear change |
San Rafael's population since 2000
From 56,063 in 2000 to 59,410 in 2025: up 6.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for San Rafael as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in San Rafael?
The median resident of San Rafael is 43.2 years old; 19.7% are under 18 and 20.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 51.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 35.5%. 28.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | San Rafael | Marin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2 ±1.4 | 47.4 | +2.1 |
| Under 18 years | 19.7% ±1.3 pts | 19.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.4% ±1.5 pts | 23.8% | – |
| Male | 49.2% ±1.3 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 35.5% ±2.3 pts | 19.5% | +4.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 51.2% ±2.3 pts | 65.1% | −5.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.2% ±1.0 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.9% ±0.9 pts | 6.1% | −1.8 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.6% ±0.9 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±0.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 28.3% ±1.9 pts | 19.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 38.1% ±2.4 pts | 23.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.1% ±0.6 pts | 3.8% | – |
| With a disability | 10.2% ±1.1 pts | 10.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.7% ±1.1 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.8% ±1.7 pts | 92.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 49.7% ±2.0 pts | 61.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 21.8% ±1.6 pts | 27.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.2% ±1.6 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9% ±0.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in San Rafael earn?
Half of San Rafael's 22,910 households earn less than $119,435 a year (±$8,545), against $149,091 in Marin County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $112,906 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | San Rafael | Marin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $119,435 ±$8,545 | $149,091 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $183,386 ±$9,103 | $232,566 | – |
| Per capita income | $70,031 ±$3,768 | $93,920 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.7% ±1.9 pts | 8.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.6% ±5.5 pts | 9.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.1% ±1.7 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.1% ±0.8 pts | 97.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.6% ±1.3 pts | 95.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in San Rafael?
Owners occupy 53.0% of San Rafael's occupied homes and renters 47.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $1,355,600 by its owner (±$62,301). The median renter pays $2,377 a month including utilities, and 51.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | San Rafael | Marin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $1,355,600 ±$62,301 | $1,507,300 | +$219,546 |
| Median gross rent | $2,377 ±$73 | $2,668 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 51.4% ±4.5 pts | 47.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $4,000 or more | $4,000 or more | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 53.0% ±2.2 pts | 64.7% | +3.0 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 47.0% ±2.2 pts | 35.3% | – |
| Housing units | 23,909 ±721 | 112,116 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4% ±1.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.9% ±1.2 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 47.6% ±2.4 pts | 63.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.4% ±0.5 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.0% ±0.7 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.8% ±1.6 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.7% ±1.9 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is San Rafael building?
Builders took permits for 19 new housing units in San Rafael in 2025 (19 in single-family houses; the permit office reported 5 of 12 months), 0.3 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in San Rafael work and get to work?
48.3% of San Rafael's workers drive alone and 26.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | San Rafael | Marin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.3% ±2.1 pts | 62.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% ±1.1 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 48.3% ±2.8 pts | 51.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.8% ±2.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 5.6% ±1.4 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Walked | 4.5% ±1.3 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 26.3% ±1.8 pts | 31.5% | +15.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.3 min ±1.5 | 27.4 min | −4.4 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in San Rafael?
14 census tracts lie mostly in San Rafael, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $68,893 (Tract 1122.03) to $204,931 (Tract 1102).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1081Marin County | 6,508 | $174,444 |
| Tract 1122.02Marin County | 6,247 | $110,515 |
| Tract 1101Marin County | 5,657 | $104,066 |
| Tract 1110.02Marin County | 4,440 | $93,756 |
| Tract 1122.04Marin County | 4,283 | $90,811 |
| Tract 1060.01Marin County | 5,258 | $125,667 |
| Tract 1090.02Marin County | 4,512 | $155,718 |
| Tract 1090.01Marin County | 3,976 | $151,023 |
| Tract 1082.02Marin County | 4,711 | $108,056 |
| Tract 1102Marin County | 5,056 | $204,931 |
| Tract 1121Marin County | 4,397 | $99,450 |
| Tract 1082.01Marin County | 2,369 | $78,889 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in San Rafael) · Census block assignment files
How does San Rafael compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, San Rafael is the 685th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 153rd-most populous of 483 in California.
San Rafael ranks 289th of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 153rd | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 311th | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 355th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 289th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 190th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 120th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 242nd | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 396th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 231st | 988 |
| Median age | 375th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 848th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 175th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 700th | 1,069 |
San Rafael's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare San Rafael with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for San Rafael?
4 of the 57 figures for San Rafael on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for San Rafael are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in San Rafael.