Downtown San Rafael
Is Downtown San Rafael a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in San Rafael, CA - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Crime Summary:
Crime Overview (last 12 months)
Severe58
Medium31
Low77
Other257
28 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape3
Child involved21
Assault3
Other4
Crime Details:
Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.
| Crime date | Crime description | Address | Crime category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire and medical crews responded to a reported cardiac arrest involving an elderly man at a residence near Chapman Drive, with access noted from Alta Way. | Chapman Dr, Corte Madera, CA 94925 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call was reported near East La Vista Lane. Emergency units staged before clearing to move in. | La Vista Way, San Rafael, CA 94901 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, radio traffic reports a possible brush fire near the (number withheld) block of Los Colindas Avenue, between a bank and a pharmacy in San Rafael, California. | Las Colindas Rd, San Rafael, CA 94903 | Fire |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call was reported near Bayview Drive. Emergency units responded and coordinated during the incident. | Bayview Dr, San Rafael, CA 94901 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency crews responded to a reported two-vehicle collision on northbound Highway 101 near Central San Rafael. The cars were on the left shoulder of the viaduct area, and units checked for possible injuries while maintaining incoming resources. | US-101, San Rafael, CA | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency response was dispatched to Five Points Fitness near Paradise Drive. Engine 13 and Medic 14 units were assigned to the location. | Paradise Dr, Corte Madera, CA 94925 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call was dispatched to (number withheld) Los Ranchitos Road. Unit 51 responded to the incident. | Los Ranchitos Rd, San Rafael, CA 94903 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, medical units responding to a possible medical emergency near Silveira Parkway. | Silveira Pkwy, San Rafael, CA 94903 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency crews responded to a single-vehicle rollover (vehicle on its roof) near Elmwood Ct in San Rafael. Two patients were evaluated: a baby reported as green and an adult male reported as yellow. A dog was also reported at the scene, and CHP and animal services were notified. | Elmwood Ct, San Rafael, CA 94901 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call for a person who fell off a deck near Manor Road; Engine 21 and Medic 18 were dispatched. | Manor Rd, Kentfield, CA 94904 | Medical Emergency |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$1,410,499
Average Rent
$3,837
Vacancy Rate
12.4%
Renter Occupied
86.0%
Overview
Downtown San Rafael is an urban neighborhood with mostly small apartments and high renter occupancy.
The median home price is $1,410,499, and the average rent is $3,837, both above most California neighborhoods. Vacancy is high at 12.4%.
UrbanRenter-DominatedHigh VacancyTransit-Friendly
Quick Facts
| Renter Occupied Rate | 86.0% |
|---|
Housing market and real estate character
Housing is dominated by small to medium apartments, mostly renter occupied, with many built since 2000.
| Housing Type | Small to medium apartments and high-rises |
|---|---|
| Housing Age | Mostly built 2000 or later, some 1970-1999 |
What buyers will notice right away
Most housing is renter occupied, limiting owner-occupancy options.
Vacancy rate is well above average, indicating possible weak demand or new construction.
Families & Lifestyle
Downtown San Rafael has many residents living alone and a very low child poverty rate.
High share of single-person households suggests many new arrivals or seniors.
Low child poverty rate indicates economic stability among families present.
Singles & Seniors — Many residents live alone, including singles and older adults.
Work From Home & Transit Users — High rates of working from home and bus commuting.
| Residents Living Alone | 66.5% |
|---|---|
| Child Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
Demographics
| Executive, Management & Professional Occupations | 39.5% |
|---|---|
| Income Rank | Higher than 72.0% of US neighborhoods |
| Child Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
| Russian Ancestry | 16.9% |
| French Canadian Ancestry | 8.4% |
| Tagalog Language Speakers | 3.6% |
| Top Languages | ["English","Chinese","French","Tagalog","Spanish"] |
| Top Ancestries | ["Italian","Russian","Polish","German","Asian"] |
Commute
Commuting is varied with many working from home and strong bus usage.
Downtown San Rafael offers strong public transit access and a high share of remote workers.
High Transit Use — 11.6% commute by bus, among the highest nationally.
Work From Home — 31.0% work remotely, well above average.
| Main Commute Time | 15-30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Drive Alone Rate | 37.1% |
| Bus Commute Rate | 11.6% |
| Work From Home Rate | 31.0% |
Homes for sale near 94901
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of housing is common in Downtown San Rafael?
Mostly small apartments and high-rises, with 95.7% being one or two bedrooms.
Is this neighborhood renter or owner dominated?
It is predominantly renter occupied, with 86.0% rental rate.
How is public transit access?
Bus commuting is high at 11.6%, higher than 96% of US neighborhoods.