San Rafael, CA Eviction Risk Score Marin County · California · Pop. 60,433
San Rafael, CA sits at 5.9/10 — Elevated risk. 36.0% rent burden, 47.0% renters, ~292-day typical timeline.
Location & regional heat
Sub-score breakdown
Each component on a 1–10 scale. Ticks mark the 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles nationally.
About eviction risk in San Rafael, CA
San Rafael, CA has an eviction risk score of 5.9 out of 10, placing it in the elevated-risk tier for landlords operating in Marin County and the state of California. The score combines local political climate, court disposition patterns, cost-of-eviction estimates, tenant organizing strength, and the likelihood of new tenant-protective legislation in the next legislative cycle.
Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates show median gross rent as a percentage of household income is 36.0% — a core driver of eviction filings, because households above 30% of income on rent are statistically more likely to miss a payment after any income shock. Median gross rent in San Rafael is $2,377/month. About 47.0% of occupied units here are renter-occupied.
Economic stress: poverty rate 10.9%, unemployment 5.8%. Higher values correlate with higher eviction filing rates and longer court timelines.
Political climate: In 2020, Marin County voted Democratic by 66.5 points — classified as strongly tenant-leaning for purposes of rent-control or just-cause expansion risk.
What this score means for landlords
At 5.9/10, San Rafael is an elevated-risk environment. Tenant protections are stronger than the national median. Use proactive screening, document notices in writing, and understand your specific just-cause and rent-cap exposure before raising rent or terminating a tenancy.
Nearby Cities — Eviction Risk Comparison
| City | Distance | Population | Risk score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Venetia, CA | 1.7 mi | 3,725 | 5.1 |
| Larkspur, CA | 3.1 mi | 12,854 | 5.7 |
| Ross, CA | 3.2 mi | 2,606 | 4.3 |
| Corte Madera, CA | 3.4 mi | 10,077 | 4.9 |
| San Anselmo, CA | 3.4 mi | 12,679 | 5.4 |
| Kentfield, CA | 4.2 mi | 6,900 | 4.9 |
| Fairfax, CA | 4.8 mi | 7,516 | 5.8 |
| Sleepy Hollow, CA | 4.9 mi | 3,063 | 5.5 |