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
San Rafael covers 16.6 sq mi of land at 3654 people per square mile.
About San Rafael, CA
San Rafael is a city in California with a population of 60,604. It ranks #155 among cities in California by population. The median age is 43.5, older than the national median. The population is 48.8% male and 51.2% female.
The median household income in San Rafael is $109,317, above the US median of $74,580. 5.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $1,246,200, with monthly rent averaging $2,346. The homeownership rate of 51.8% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in San Rafael reflects 49.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 22.9% of workers primarily work from home, noticeably above the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 26.6 minutes each way.
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% |
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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).
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.