North Pacific Coast RR 1887 ad, 1887
Fairfax’s story
116 years in pictures
Census counts: 2,198 in 1940, 7,605 in 2020. The archive holds 18 old photos and papers going back to 1887 and 6 maps from 1897 on.
- 1910Fairfax is settled
FairfaxCA
A town of 7,417, settled in 1910. 2.7 times the nonprofits per person than the typical California town.
2 bordering townsMap →
Photo: ERobson at English Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0
Population
7,417
2025 Census estimate · −2.4% since 2020
Typical home
$1.23M
+5.3% in a year
Household income
$142K
median
Median age
48.7
years
Jobs based here
1,387
A commuter town
TownGrade
B+
#81 of 841 in CA
Is Fairfax a good place to live?
For most people who can afford it, yes. Fairfax grades B+ overall, 81st among California's 841 graded towns. Its public schools beat 95% of California towns on state tests and graduation and it is healthier than 91% of U.S. towns. The catch is cost: the typical home is worth about $1.2 million, 9 years of the San Francisco metro’s $136K median household income. 70% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more in Fairfax, above both the California town median (29%) and the median of U.S. towns (29%). On safety, just 40 of California’s 426 towns do better. Fairfax's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) is stronger than in 99% of U.S. towns.
What makes Fairfax stand out
Where Fairfax beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
Community nonprofits per 1,000 residents
Fairfax8.5
Typical U.S. town3.7
Typical CA town3.1
Civic lifeA+
2.7 times the nonprofits per person
than the typical California town
Charities, civic groups and human services; churches not counted.
WalkabilityA+
More walkable than 95% of U.S. towns
11.8% of workers walk, bike or ride transit
EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.
Worth knowing · Natural hazardsD−
Inland flooding and earthquakes at the top
FEMA National Risk Index.
Get outside
8 miles of trails in Fairfax
4.8% of the town is conserved land, across 10 parks and preserves.
3
Elliott Nature Preserve0.5 mi of trails · 12 acres
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
How Fairfax grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within California), ordered by how far Fairfax is from typical.
Its grades run from A+ for walkability (better than 95% of comparable towns) to D− for hazard risk (better than 3%), so the B+ overall blends very different results.
Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listD−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 10.4 of 20; 1.1% of households have no carA+Open →SchoolsA+Open →Cost of livingDOpen →HealthKaiser Foundation Hospital 2.5 miles awayAOpen →SafetyBOpen →Jobs & income$142K median household income; 1,387 jobs based hereB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors8 miles of trails; 5% conserved landA−Open →History3 notable people born hereC+Open →Civic life8.5 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsA+Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 77° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market14 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 48.7–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 241 attractions →Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary and 184 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Fairfax. Close and well known come first.
Big draw15 mi MuseumAlcatraz Federal Penitentiary
6 mi National MonumentMuir Woods National Monument757K visitors a year
Big draw15 mi GardenPresidio of San Francisco
Big draw16 mi LandmarkLombard Street
Big draw19 mi Stadium & arenaChase Center
Big draw18 mi Stadium & arenaOracle ParkSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary: druchoy, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Muir Woods National Monument: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Presidio of San Francisco: Robert Campbell, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Lombard Street: The original uploader was Y6y6y6 at English Wikipedia., Public domain · Chase Center: Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oracle Park: User Coasttocoast on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Fairfax: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Fairfax, and how to reach them.
PowerPG&E37.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterMarin Municipal Water DistrictNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Fairfax’s trash rules yet
SchoolsRoss Valley Elementary School DistrictTamalpais Union High School District2 districts serve Fairfax; which school depends on your address and gradeNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn California you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereMarin County Registrar of VotersMarin County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2025
ZIP code9493094930 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Fairfax.
Fairfax fares better on crime within California than nationally, has schools in the top 5% of California and has milder winter nights than nearly all U.S. towns.
OutdoorsA−
Conserved land covers 4.8% of Fairfax
7.5 miles of trail in 10 parks and preserves. Fairfax’s trail density is 3.4 miles per square mile. The biggest place to walk is Fairfax Open Space Preserve, 103 acres with 1 miles of trail.
#54for trails in CA
| Fairfax | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 3.4 miles per square mile | 1.0 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 4.8% | 4.2% | 4.3% |
4.8%
conserved · 68 of 1,418 acres
7.5 mi
of trails · 3.4 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fairfax Open Space Preserve | 1 mi | 103 |
| 2. Cascade Canyon Preserve | 0.5 mi | 41 |
| 3. Elliott Nature Preserve | 0.5 mi | 12 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsA+
Fairfax earns an A+ for schools
Its A+ ranks #29 of the 847 California towns we grade for schools. Its A+ for schools comes with a D for cost of living: the typical home is worth about $1.23M.
Its public schools are run by the Ross Valley Elementary school district. Two of its 3 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
95%of CA districts it outscoresA+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Hill MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 601 | A |
| Ross Valley CharterTop results in townGrades K–5 | Grades K–5 | 198 | A |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within CA on state tests and graduation
HousingCost of living grade D
Fairfax earns a D for cost of living
The median rent in Fairfax is $2,367 a month. Typical home values rose 5.3% in the year to September 2026.
$1.23MZillow home value
| Fairfax | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,367 a month | $1,895 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 69% | 64% | 73% |
Typical home value
Fairfax$1.23M
California$762K
Market temperature
14
days on market
104.2%
sale-to-list price
+5.3%
value change, 1 year
11
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
HealthA
Fairfax stands out in California and nationally, with fewer of its adults who feel lonely
Against the 3,432 U.S. towns with household incomes like Fairfax’s, it is healthier than 67%, a smaller edge than it has nationally: part of it comes with its incomes.
28% of adults feel lonely in Fairfax. Fairfax beats the California average on 16 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 2. 15% of adults report frequent mental distress in Fairfax.
91%healthier than U.S. townsAHealth Grade
| Fairfax | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 36% | 33% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 22% | 29% | 35% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 30% | 35% | 36% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 24% | 25% |
32 measures vs. California
16 better14 too close to call2 worse
| What stands out | Fairfax | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer uninsured adults | 4.2% | 10.6% |
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 7.9% | 17.9% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 10.6% | 6.4% |
Kaiser Foundation Hospital
2.5 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
85th
percentile among CA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D−
Fairfax faces a very high natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 88% of U.S. communities. Since 1978, 90 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Fairfax.
88risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingEarthquakesWildfire
90
paid flood claims since 1978
6
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B−
Fairfax has 0.4 jobs for every working resident, so most commute out
38.4% of workers work from home, against 17.2% across California.
Most working residents leave Fairfax for work: only 8% work in town. 38% of Fairfax workers work from home. The top destinations are San Francisco (22%), San Rafael (12%) and San Anselmo (4%).
8%work in town
| Fairfax | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 38% | 14% | 11% |
| Median household income | $142,000 | $95,000 | $80,000 |
| Average trip to work | 29 minutes | 28 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 12% | 10% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Fairfax8%
San Francisco22%
San Rafael12%
San Anselmo4%
Oakland3%
17 mi
median commute distance
1,387
jobs based in Fairfax
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
A+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 95% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Climate
Fairfax has mild winters and pleasant summers
January nights average 41.3°, milder than in 95% of U.S. towns; July afternoons average 75.9°.
Fairfax has warm winters and cool summers. Snow is almost unheard of.
77°summer high
| Fairfax | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| July high | 76°F | 89°F | 85°F |
| January low | 41°F | 40°F | 22°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter42–57°
Spring45–64°
Summer52–75°
Fall49–71°
+1.5°
vs. the 20th-century average
77°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
SafetyB
Fairfax is safer than 64% of U.S. towns, by crime per resident
At 13.2 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports less crime than 91% of California’s graded towns. Violent crime is rare: 6 reported in 2025, 0.8 per 1,000 residents.
64%of U.S. towns report more crimeBSafety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Fairfax0.8
California4.4
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Fairfax7.3
California18.2
U.S.15.5
64th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
91st
percentile among CA towns
6
violent crimes reported in 2025
54
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Fairfax
20pages on Fairfax
The big questions
SchoolsA+Beat 95% of CA districts · 3 schoolsSafetyB0.8 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthABetter than CA on 16 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingD$1.23M typical home · up 5.3% in a yearWork & commuteB−$142K median household income · 1,387 jobs hereNatural hazardsD−FEMA risk higher than 88% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
4 within 15 miles of the center of Fairfax
Presidio Graduate SchoolUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · San Anselmo2.1 miCollege of MarinCommunity college · Public · Kentfield3.6 mi$1,558 in-state tuitionDominican University of CaliforniaUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · San Rafael4.6 mi$52,161 tuition
About 4 of every 100 Fairfax residents are enrolled in college, against 8 across California.
A commuter town
92% of working residents leave Fairfax for work
Where Fairfax’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
1,387jobs based in Fairfax
8%of working residents work in town
17 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
Famous people from Fairfax
3 notable people were born in Fairfax.
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About Fairfax
Town in the United States
Fairfax is an incorporated town in Marin County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 7,605. Fairfax is bordered on the east by San Anselmo and is located 3.25 miles (5.2 km) west-northwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 115 feet (35 m).
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 2.2 sq mi
- Elevation
- 115 ft
- ZIP code
- 94930, 94978
- Area code
- 415
Fairfax’s neighbors
2 towns share a border with Fairfax.
Sleepy HollowSan AnselmoFairfax
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax | #81 | B+ | D | B | A+ | A |
| Sleepy Hollow | #59 | A− | D− | — | A+ | A+ |
| San Anselmo | #49 | A− | D− | — | A+ | A+ |
Sleepy Hollow and San Anselmo report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Fairfax with a neighbor →
Questions about Fairfax
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Fairfax, CA a good place to live?
For most people who can afford it, yes. Fairfax grades B+ overall, better than 70% of U.S. towns and #81 of 841 in California. It grades A for health, B for safety and A+ for schools. Hazard risk is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is Fairfax, CA expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D.
What is Fairfax, CA known for?
3 notable people were born here, including Polly Klaas and Lonnie Mayne.