San Rafael, CA Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze population trends, housing costs, and the local economy by exploring Map AI.
Area Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to state and national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population
| Metric | San Rafael | California Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,510 | 38,909,900 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 2240.6 | 237.3 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | -0.11% | 0.19% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 41.5 | 35.4 | 37.1 |
| Households | 19,918 | 13,415,389 | 128,459,983 |
Population in San Rafael grew by 20.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 52,241 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
San Rafael has a the economy index of A, which means it is very prosperous.
| Metric | San Rafael | California Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $108,406 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 3.71% | 6.01% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
The median household income in San Rafael is about 12% higher than in California.
Housing
| Metric | San Rafael | California Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $666,830 | $642,203 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $2,288 | $1,955 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 51.8% | 55.8% | 65.1% |
The median home price in San Rafael is about 24.3 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $2,288 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in San Rafael spend about 43 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 178 hours, about 7.4 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | San Rafael | California Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 21.3 | 23.6 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 42.7 | 47.2 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 178 | 197 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $5,514 | $6,099 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 23.3% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 37,441 | 16,509 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 3,626 | 2,449 | 1,355 |
The average commute time in San Rafael is 21 minutes, shorter than the 24 minutes in California.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
San Rafael has a education index of A+, which means it is exceptionally educated.
| Metric | San Rafael | California Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 45.5% | 33.0% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.52 | 2.85 | 2.54 |
Health
San Rafael has a health index of A, which means it is very healthy.
| Metric | San Rafael | California Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 81.9 | 79.6 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 13.6% | 16.4% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 10.8% | 13.9% | 19.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about San Rafael, California.
What is the population of San Rafael, California?
The population of San Rafael, California is 50,510, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of San Rafael, California?
The population density of San Rafael, California is 2240.6 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in San Rafael, California?
The median household income in San Rafael, California is $108,406, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in San Rafael, California?
The median home price in San Rafael, California is $666,830, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in San Rafael, California?
The unemployment rate in San Rafael, California is 5.9%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.