San Rafael, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of San Rafael, California is 60,604 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 155th-largest city in California. The median household income is $109,317, the median home value is $1,246,200, and the median age is 43.5.
The population has grown 3.7% since 2010 (57,797 → 59,961).
60,604
Population
3654
People / sq mi
$109,317
Median Income
$1,246,200
Median Home Value
Get San Rafael's next ACS population data
Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
San Rafael covers 16.6 sq mi of land at 3654 people per square mile.
About San Rafael, CA
Housing cost is the defining feature of San Rafael: the median home is valued at $1,246,200. With 60,604 residents, San Rafael is a city in California.
Households take in a median $109,317, comfortably above the US median of $78,538. About 5.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Housing is expensive: the median home is worth $1,246,200, with typical rent around $2,346.
Educational attainment is on the higher side for US cities — 49.4% of adults hold a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. A solid 22.9% of workers are based at home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 27 minutes each way.
High housing values reframe the income picture in San Rafael — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
San Rafael city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of San Rafael city had a population of 57,797 in 2010 and 59,961 in 2024, a 3.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 61,143 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.27%.
59,961
Population (2024)
57,797
Population (2010)
61,143
Peak (2020)
0.27%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 57,797 |
| 2011 | 58,232 |
| 2012 | 58,448 |
| 2013 | 58,995 |
| 2014 | 59,130 |
| 2015 | 59,074 |
| 2016 | 58,918 |
| 2017 | 58,801 |
| 2018 | 58,704 |
| 2019 | 58,440 |
| 2020 | 61,143 |
| 2021 | 60,887 |
| 2022 | 60,240 |
| 2023 | 59,818 |
| 2024 | 59,961 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 57.1% |
| Black or African American | 2.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$109,317
Median Household Income
$67,609
Per Capita Income
5.5%
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$1,246,200
Median Home Value
$2,346
Median Rent
51.8%
Owner-Occupied
Education
84.3%
High School+
49.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
6.8%
Drive Alone
50.4%
Public Transit
22.9%
Work From Home
26.6 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
22.4%
Foreign Born
62.5%
Non-English at Home
3.1%
Veterans
10.3%
With Disability
92.2%
Health Insurance
96.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 19.7% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 18.7% |
| Construction | 9.8% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.6% |
| Information | 6.4% |
| Manufacturing | 4.7% |
| Retail Trade | 4.5% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 4.2% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.1% |
| Public Administration | 3.5% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.5% |
Largest cities in California
Largest counties in California
Part of California
Metro areas in California
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
San Rafael, California has a population of 60,604 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 155th-largest city in California.
The median household income in San Rafael, California is $109,317, with 5.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in San Rafael, California is $1,246,200, with median monthly rent at $2,346 and a homeownership rate of 51.8%.
The median age in San Rafael, California is 43.5 years. The population is 48.8% male and 51.2% female.
The population has grown 3.7% since 2010 (57,797 → 59,961).
Where to stay in San Rafael
Visiting or relocating to San Rafael, CA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
More from California
Population 3,857,897
Population 1,385,061
Population 990,054
Population 836,321
Population 543,615
Full rankings of California cities by population
Statewide data for California
Population, race, income, age, and trends across California
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.