San Rafael, CA Demographics

A map of San Rafael's Population by Race

San Rafael, California has an estimated population of 60,433, a slight decrease from the 61,271 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 51.2% White, 35.5% Hispanic, 4.9% Asian, 4.6% Multiracial, 2.2% Black, and 1.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of San Rafael, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

San Rafael is about as racially diverse as it was in 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 San Rafael, that probability was 61.0% in 2020 and 60.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

San Rafael is ranked the 154th 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). San Rafael was ranked the 153rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

San Rafael's White Population

30,956 residents of San Rafael, or 51.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in San Rafael is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. San Rafael ranks 915th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Rafael's White population has declined by an estimated 2.0%. White residents' share of San Rafael's population has remained roughly unchanged at 51.2%.

San Rafael is less White than neighboring Santa Venetia (72.5% White), Larkspur (73.2% White), Kentfield (79.8% White), Corte Madera (70.2% White), and Ross (79.9% White).

San Rafael's Black Population

1,313 residents of San Rafael, or 2.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in San Rafael is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. San Rafael ranks 518th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Rafael's Black population has grown by an estimated 31.4%. Black residents' share of San Rafael's population has increased from 1.6% to 2.2%.

San Rafael is more Black than neighboring Santa Venetia (1.7% Black), Larkspur (0.1% Black), Kentfield (0.8% Black), Corte Madera (1.5% Black), and Ross (1.2% Black).

San Rafael's Asian Population

2,980 residents of San Rafael, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in San Rafael is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. San Rafael ranks 398th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Rafael's Asian population has declined by an estimated 25.8%. Asian residents' share of San Rafael's population has decreased from 6.6% to 4.9%.

San Rafael is more Asian than neighboring Santa Venetia (3.9% Asian), and Ross (1.9% Asian). San Rafael is less Asian than neighboring Larkspur (6.7% Asian), Kentfield (5.2% Asian), and Corte Madera (6.8% Asian).

San Rafael's Hispanic Population

21,453 residents of San Rafael, or 35.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in San Rafael is slightly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. San Rafael ranks 569th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Rafael's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.0%. Hispanic residents' share of San Rafael's population has increased from 34.3% to 35.5%.

San Rafael is more Hispanic than neighboring Santa Venetia (16.6% Hispanic), Larkspur (8.8% Hispanic), Kentfield (8.1% Hispanic), Corte Madera (12.1% Hispanic), and Ross (5.7% Hispanic).

San Rafael's Native American/Other Population

967 residents of San Rafael, or 1.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in San Rafael is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. San Rafael ranks 745th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Rafael's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 21.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of San Rafael's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

San Rafael is more Native American/Other than neighboring Santa Venetia (0% Native American/Other), Kentfield (1.1% Native American/Other), and Ross (1.2% Native American/Other). San Rafael is less Native American/Other than neighboring Corte Madera (2.3% Native American/Other).

San Rafael's Multiracial Population

2,764 residents of San Rafael, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in San Rafael is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. San Rafael ranks 814th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, San Rafael's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 2.6%. Multiracial residents' share of San Rafael's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.6%.

San Rafael is less Multiracial than neighboring Santa Venetia (5.3% Multiracial), Larkspur (9.6% Multiracial), Kentfield (5.1% Multiracial), Corte Madera (7% Multiracial), and Ross (10.1% 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.