Novato, CA Demographics

A map of Novato's Population by Race

Novato, California has an estimated population of 52,546, a slight decrease from the 53,225 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 54.6% White, 28.0% Hispanic, 6.9% Asian, 6.3% Multiracial, 2.4% Black, and 1.9% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Novato, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Novato has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Novato, that probability was 59.0% in 2020 and 61.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Novato is ranked the 178th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Novato was ranked the 176th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Novato's White Population

28,702 residents of Novato, or 54.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Novato is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Novato ranks 813th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Novato's White population has declined by an estimated 6.9%. White residents' share of Novato's population has decreased from 57.9% to 54.6%.

Novato is less White than neighboring Black Point-Green Point (68.5% White), Lucas Valley-Marinwood (79.3% White), Sleepy Hollow (79.4% White), Santa Venetia (72.5% White), and Fairfax (80.3% White).

Novato's Black Population

1,243 residents of Novato, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Novato is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Novato ranks 353rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Novato's Black population has declined by an estimated 9.6%. Black residents' share of Novato's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.4%.

Novato is more Black than neighboring Black Point-Green Point (0% Black), Lucas Valley-Marinwood (0.9% Black), Sleepy Hollow (0.8% Black), Santa Venetia (1.7% Black), and Fairfax (2% Black).

Novato's Asian Population

3,608 residents of Novato, or 6.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Novato is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Novato ranks 379th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Novato's Asian population has declined by an estimated 7.5%. Asian residents' share of Novato's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.9%.

Novato is more Asian than neighboring Sleepy Hollow (0.5% Asian), Santa Venetia (3.9% Asian), and Fairfax (3.2% Asian). Novato is less Asian than neighboring Black Point-Green Point (24.8% Asian), and Lucas Valley-Marinwood (7.3% Asian).

Novato's Hispanic Population

14,706 residents of Novato, or 28.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Novato is considerably lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Novato ranks 744th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Novato's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Novato's population has increased from 25.6% to 28.0%.

Novato is more Hispanic than neighboring Black Point-Green Point (3.6% Hispanic), Lucas Valley-Marinwood (8.5% Hispanic), Sleepy Hollow (8.1% Hispanic), Santa Venetia (16.6% Hispanic), and Fairfax (6.8% Hispanic).

Novato's Native American/Other Population

984 residents of Novato, or 1.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Novato is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Novato ranks 879th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Novato's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 61.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Novato's population has increased from 1.1% to 1.9%.

Novato is more Native American/Other than neighboring Black Point-Green Point (0% Native American/Other), Lucas Valley-Marinwood (0% Native American/Other), and Santa Venetia (0% Native American/Other). Novato is less Native American/Other than neighboring Sleepy Hollow (3.8% Native American/Other), and Fairfax (2% Native American/Other).

Novato's Multiracial Population

3,303 residents of Novato, or 6.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Novato is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Novato ranks 617th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Novato's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 14.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Novato's population has increased from 5.4% to 6.3%.

Novato is more Multiracial than neighboring Black Point-Green Point (3.1% Multiracial), Lucas Valley-Marinwood (4% Multiracial), Santa Venetia (5.3% Multiracial), and Fairfax (5.7% Multiracial). Novato is less Multiracial than neighboring Sleepy Hollow (7.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.