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San Rafael
citySan Rafael, located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, is the county seat of Marin County, California. Founded as a Spanish mission in 1817, the city offers a blend of historical charm and modern living. As of 2020, San Rafael had a population of 61,271, making it a significant urban center in the region. San Rafael's economy is diverse, with major employment sectors including professional, scientific, and technical services, healthcare, and retail trade. Key employers in the city include BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Kaiser Permanente, and Autodesk. The city also supports a vibrant arts scene and is actively working to revitalize its economic hubs. Known as "The City With a Mission," San Rafael boasts a rich history evident in its well-preserved Mission San Rafael Arcángel. The city provides access to numerous outdoor activities, with parks, trails, and waterfront areas that enhance the quality of life for its residents. San Rafael is also recognized for its commitment to sustainability and community engagement.
San Rafael, California
Overview
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 0668364
- Country
- United States
- County
- Marin County
Geography
- Region
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Total Area
- 22.5 sq mi
- Land Area
- 16.6 sq mi
- Water Area
- 6 sq mi
- Latitude
- 37.986076
- Longitude
- -122.534752
- Climate
- Warm-summer Mediterranean climate with mild winter lows and warm, dry summers.
- Notable Features
- San Francisco Bay · San Rafael Creek · Miller Creek
- Neighboring Areas
- San Anselmo · Ross · Fairfax
Demographics
- Population (2020)
- 61,271
- Est. Population (2024)
- 60,433
- Median Age
- 43.2
- Median Income
- $119,435
- Poverty Rate
- 11.7%
- Owner-Occupied
- 53%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- In 2024, the racial makeup was 51.2% White, 35.5% Hispanic, and 4.9% Asian.
Governance
- Government Type
- Council-Manager with directly elected mayor
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 5 members
- School District
- San Rafael City Schools
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Library · Recreation
U.S. Congress
Padilla, AlexD
U.S. SenatorSchiff, Adam B.D
U.S. RepresentativeHuffman, JaredD
U.S. Representative - District 2Kiley, KevinI
U.S. Representative - District 3Thompson, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 4McClintock, TomR
U.S. Representative - District 5Bera, AmiD
U.S. Representative - District 6Matsui, Doris O.D
U.S. Representative - District 7Garamendi, JohnD
U.S. Representative - District 8Harder, JoshD
U.S. Representative - District 9DeSaulnier, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 10Pelosi, NancyD
U.S. Representative - District 11Simon, LateefahD
U.S. Representative - District 12Mullin, KevinD
U.S. Representative - District 15Khanna, RoD
U.S. Representative - District 17Lofgren, ZoeD
U.S. Representative - District 18Panetta, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 19Fong, VinceR
U.S. Representative - District 20Costa, JimD
U.S. Representative - District 21Valadao, David G.R
U.S. Representative - District 22Obernolte, JayR
U.S. Representative - District 23Carbajal, Salud O.D
U.S. Representative - District 24Ruiz, RaulD
U.S. Representative - District 25Brownley, JuliaD
U.S. Representative - District 26Whitesides, GeorgeD
U.S. Representative - District 27Chu, JudyD
U.S. Representative - District 28Rivas, Luz M.D
U.S. Representative - District 29Friedman, LauraD
U.S. Representative - District 30Cisneros, Gilbert RayD
U.S. Representative - District 31Sherman, BradD
U.S. Representative - District 32Aguilar, PeteD
U.S. Representative - District 33Gomez, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 34Torres, Norma J.D
U.S. Representative - District 35Lieu, TedD
U.S. Representative - District 36Kamlager-Dove, SydneyD
U.S. Representative - District 37Sánchez, Linda T.D
U.S. Representative - District 38Takano, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 39Kim, YoungR
U.S. Representative - District 40Calvert, KenR
U.S. Representative - District 41Garcia, RobertD
U.S. Representative - District 42Waters, MaxineD
U.S. Representative - District 43Barragán, Nanette DiazD
U.S. Representative - District 44Tran, DerekD
U.S. Representative - District 45Correa, J. LuisD
U.S. Representative - District 46Min, DaveD
U.S. Representative - District 47Issa, DarrellR
U.S. Representative - District 48Levin, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 49Peters, Scott H.D
U.S. Representative - District 50Jacobs, SaraD
U.S. Representative - District 51Vargas, JuanD
U.S. Representative - District 52Economy
- Unemployment Rate
- 4.7%
- Economic Profile
- Residential · Commercial
- Employment Sectors
- Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services · Health Care & Social Assistance · Retail Trade
- Major Employers
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical · Kaiser Permanente · Autodesk
Education
- Schools
- 15
- Students
- 7,000
- School Districts
- San Rafael City Elementary School District · San Rafael High School District · Dixie School District · Miller Creek Elementary School District
- Colleges & Universities
- Dominican University of California
Infrastructure
- Transportation
- U.S. Route 101 · Interstate 580 · Public transit
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Fiber/broadband
- Major Facilities
- Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center
Recreation
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- China Camp State Park · McNears Beach Park · Santa Venetia Marsh Preserve
- Parks & Trails
- Open space preserves · City parks · Trail systems
History
- Founded
- 1817
- Incorporated
- 1874
- Named After
- Archangel Raphael
- Historical Significance
- Site of the 20th Spanish mission in Alta California; long-time county seat; played a role in WWII shipbuilding and later became a hub for the entertainment industry.
- Key Events
- Mission San Rafael Arcángel founded (1817) · Seat of Marin County since 1851 · Arrival of the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad (1879)