San Rafael, CA

Census Place

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2024 Population

60,433

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

US Senator

Adam Schiff

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

43.2

0.69% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

11.7%

7.32% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$119,435

9.26% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$1.36M

8.78% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

30,497

0.713% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in San Rafael, CA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

82.3% of the residents in San Rafael, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in San Rafael, CA are Dominican University of California (765 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in San Rafael, CA was $1.36M, and the homeownership rate was 53%.

Most people in San Rafael, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.3 minutes. The average car ownership in San Rafael, CA was 2 cars per household.

Photo by jdeeringdavis

United States California Marin County, CA San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA Contra Costa County (Far Northwest)--Richmond (North), Hercules & El Cerrito Cities PUMA, CA Marin County (North & West)--Novato & San Rafael (North) Cities PUMA, CA Marin County (Southeast)--San Rafael (South), Mill Valley & Sausalito Cities PUMA, CA

Population & Diversity

San Rafael, CA is home to a population of 60.4k people, from which 82.3% are citizens. As of 2024, 28.3% of San Rafael, CA residents were born outside of the country (17.1k people).

In 2024, there were 2.26 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (31k people) in San Rafael, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 13.7k Other (Hispanic) and 4.79k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

82.3%

2024 Citizenship

82%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 82.3% of San Rafael, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in San Rafael, CA was 82%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in San Rafael, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in San Rafael, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
31k ± 1.39k
Other (Hispanic)
13.7k ± 1.66k
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
4.79k ± 1.07k

35.5%

Hispanic Population

21.5k people

35.5% of the people in San Rafael, CA are hispanic (21.5k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in San Rafael, CA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,877,888 ± 45,899 people
Philippines
827,719 ± 22,100 people
China
695,724 ± 20,296 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,877,888 California residents, followed by Philippines with 827,719 and China with 695,724.

Foreign-Born Population

28.3%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

17.1k people

28%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

17k people

As of 2024, 28.3% of San Rafael, CA residents (17.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in San Rafael, CA was 28%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in San Rafael, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
557 ± 180
Gulf War (2001-)
259 ± 169
Gulf War (1990s)
105 ± 75

San Rafael, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.15 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in San Rafael, CA.

Health

93.3% of the population of San Rafael, CA has health coverage, with 43.9% on employee plans, 19.3% on Medicaid, 14.8% on Medicare, 15% on non-group plans, and 0.228% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in California see 1,233 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,233 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1076 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 213 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.1% under 18 years, 17.1% between 18 and 34 years, 40.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.73%

Uninsured

43.9%

Employer Coverage

19.3%

Medicaid

14.8%

Medicare

15%

Non-Group

0.228%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in San Rafael, CA declined by 14.1% from 7.83% to 6.73%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in San Rafael, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of San Rafael, CA employs 30.5k people. In 2024, the largest industries in San Rafael, CA were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (4,156 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,799 people), and Retail Trade (3,397 people), and the highest paying industries were Finance & Insurance ($172,791), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($154,219), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($117,500).

Employment

Occupations

30.5k

2024 Value

± 1,554

−0.713%

1 Year decline

± 7.22%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in San Rafael, CA declined at a rate of −0.713%, from 30.7k employees to 30.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in San Rafael, CA, are Management Occupations (4,204 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,961 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,941 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of San Rafael, CA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

30.5k

2024 Value

± 1,554

−0.713%

1 Year decline

± 7.22%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in San Rafael, CA declined at a rate of −0.713%, from 30.7k employees to 30.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in San Rafael, CA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (4,156 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,799 people), and Retail Trade (3,397 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of San Rafael, CA, though some of these residents may live in San Rafael, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$60,360

Median earning men ± $4,315

$51,825

Median earning women ± $4,016

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Information ($181,067), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($150,313), and Manufacturing ($100,559).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($165,909), Wholesale Trade ($121,397), and Manufacturing ($94,792).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Y-Axis

2.57%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 17.9M people employed in California. This represents a 2.57% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

California is currently represented by 51 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for San Rafael, CA. Showing the available data for California.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (58.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (38.3%)
Republican Party
Robert Kennedy (1.25%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Alex Padilla

Senator from California

Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.

Adam Schiff

Senator from California

Assumed office on December 8, 2024
Elected to the seat to succeed Laphonza Butler, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Dianne Feinstein.

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing California.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in San Rafael, CA awarded 765 degrees. The student population of San Rafael, CA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 557 male students and 1,343 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in San Rafael, CA are White (168 and 33.1%), Asian (142 and 28%), Hispanic or Latino (121 and 23.9%), and Two or More Races (29 and 5.72%).

The largest universities in San Rafael, CA by number of degrees awarded are Dominican University of California (765 and 100%).

The most popular majors in San Rafael, CA are Other Business, Management, Marketing, & Related Support Services (232 and 30.3%), Registered Nursing (111 and 14.5%), and General Business Administration & Management (79 and 10.3%).

The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $51,316.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in San Rafael, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 83.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 12.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 1,900 (29.3% men and 70.7% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 1,900 students enrolled in San Rafael, CA, 29.3% men and 70.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Asian with 622 records, of which 67.8% were women and 32.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Business, Management, Marketing, & Related Support Services
232 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
43 degrees awarded
Occupational Therapy
38 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Masters Degree recipients in San Rafael, CA was Other Business, Management, Marketing, & Related Support Services with 232 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Masters Degree from schools in San Rafael, CA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Dominican University of California

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

765 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Dominican University of California with 765 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 258 men were awarded degrees from institutions in San Rafael, CA, which is 0.509 times less than the 507 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 168 degrees mean that there were 1.18 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 142 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($51,316) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($845) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,152) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in San Rafael, CA was $1.36M in 2024, which is 4.07 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $1.25M to $1.36M, a 8.78% increase. The homeownership rate in San Rafael, CA is 53%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in San Rafael, CA have an average commute time of 25.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in San Rafael, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$1.36M

Median Property Value 2024

±$62,301

$12,140

Median Property Taxes

±$730

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In San Rafael, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in San Rafael, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

53%

Homeownership

2024

61.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 53% of the housing units in San Rafael, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 51.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in San Rafael, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$119,435

Median Household Income

± $8,545

22.9k

Number of Households

± 1,201

In 2024, the median household income of the 22.9k households in San Rafael, CA grew to $119,435 from the previous year's value of $109,317.

The following chart displays the households in San Rafael, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for San Rafael, CA is from California.

0.493

2024 Wage GINI in California

0.495

2023 Wage GINI in California

In 2024, the income inequality in California was 0.493 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.424% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (48.3%)
Worked At Home (26.3%)
Carpooled (12.8%)

In 2024, 48.3% of workers in San Rafael, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (26.3%) and those who carpooled to work (12.8%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

25.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in San Rafael, CA have a shorter commute time (25.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.13% of the workforce in San Rafael, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in San Rafael, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in San Rafael, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in San Rafael, CA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

11.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in San Rafael, CA (6.88k out of 59k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 6 - 11, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 75+.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in San Rafael, CA is Hispanic, followed by Other and White.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.