Novato, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Novato, California is 52,689 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 176th-largest city in California. The median household income is $112,193, the median home value is $1,007,100, and the median age is 47.8.
The population has grown 0.7% since 2010 (51,970 → 52,311).
52,689
Population
1925
People / sq mi
$112,193
Median Income
$1,007,100
Median Home Value
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Novato covers 27.4 sq mi of land at 1925 people per square mile.
About Novato, CA
In Novato, home values do the distinguishing — a median of $1,007,100. Novato is a city in California with a population of 52,689.
Households take in a median $112,193, comfortably above the US median of $78,538. About 5.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Housing is expensive: the median home is worth $1,007,100, with typical rent around $2,422.
College attainment is above the local norm at 47.5%, above the national 35.0%. A solid 17.7% of workers are based at home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 28 minutes each way.
High housing values reframe the income picture in Novato — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
Novato city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Novato city had a population of 51,970 in 2010 and 52,311 in 2024, a 0.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 55,913 in 2016. Average annual growth rate: 0.06%.
52,311
Population (2024)
51,970
Population (2010)
55,913
Peak (2016)
0.06%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 51,970 |
| 2011 | 52,680 |
| 2012 | 53,221 |
| 2013 | 54,142 |
| 2014 | 54,856 |
| 2015 | 55,406 |
| 2016 | 55,913 |
| 2017 | 55,701 |
| 2018 | 55,640 |
| 2019 | 55,516 |
| 2020 | 53,146 |
| 2021 | 52,987 |
| 2022 | 52,366 |
| 2023 | 52,017 |
| 2024 | 52,311 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 62.5% |
| Black or African American | 3.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$112,193
Median Household Income
$64,439
Per Capita Income
5.3%
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$1,007,100
Median Home Value
$2,422
Median Rent
65.5%
Owner-Occupied
Education
90.8%
High School+
47.5%
Bachelor's+
Commute
4.2%
Drive Alone
67.0%
Public Transit
17.7%
Work From Home
27.7 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
22.8%
Foreign Born
70.1%
Non-English at Home
5.6%
Veterans
11.6%
With Disability
96.3%
Health Insurance
96.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 20.9% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 17.5% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 8.3% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 7.0% |
| Construction | 6.8% |
| Information | 6.5% |
| Manufacturing | 6.1% |
| Public Administration | 5.2% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 3.7% |
| Retail Trade | 2.8% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.7% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Novato, California has a population of 52,689 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 176th-largest city in California.
The median household income in Novato, California is $112,193, with 5.3% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Novato, California is $1,007,100, with median monthly rent at $2,422 and a homeownership rate of 65.5%.
The median age in Novato, California is 47.8 years. The population is 50.8% male and 49.2% female.
The population has grown 0.7% since 2010 (51,970 → 52,311).
Where to stay in Novato
Visiting or relocating to Novato, CA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.