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).

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Fairfax ranks

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#23Most remote workers in CA #53Fewest uninsured in CA #52Highest graduation rate in CA All CA rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code94930, 94978

Area code415

Living in Fairfax

Housing in Fairfax

$1.21M▲ 4.9% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Fairfax home is worth about $1,214,000, up 4.9% in a year, 59% above the California typical home.

A strong seller's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market14

Sale-to-list104.2%

Sold in May11

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Fairfax

B⁺

Safety Grade B+

Fairfax reports less crime per resident than 66% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.

Violent crime per 1,000

Fairfax 0.8

California 4.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Fairfax 7.3

California 18.2

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Fairfax

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Most working residents leave Fairfax for work: only 8% work in town. The top destinations are San Francisco (22%), San Rafael (12%) and San Anselmo (4%). Half commute less than 17 miles.

San Francisco

22%

San Rafael

12%

San Anselmo

Oakland

8%Work in townlive and work in Fairfax 17 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 1,387Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Fairfax →

Health in Fairfax

Health Grade A

Healthier than 91% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with California

16better than CA·2worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 14 are too close to call.

Conditions 2▲ 2▼ 8 close Habits 2▲ 2 close Care 5▲ 2 close Mind 3▲ 2 close Everyday needs 4▲ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

4.2%Fewer uninsured adultsCA 10.6% · better 7.9%Fewer adults facing food insecurityCA 17.9% · better 10.6%More adults who have had cancerCA 6.4% · worse

Care nearby

Kaiser Foundation HospitalSan Rafael · 2.5 mi · ER

Mchwc Women's Health ClinicSan Rafael · 2.9 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Fairfax · CMS · HRSAHealth in Fairfax →

Natural hazards in Fairfax

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 88% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🏚️ Earthquakes🔥 Wildfire

90Does Fairfax flood?paid flood claims since 1978 6Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Fairfax MapFairfax vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Fairfax →

Climate in Fairfax

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Fairfax has warm winters and cool summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 76°, a January night drops to 41°, and snow is almost unheard of.

57° / 42°Winter

64° / 45°Spring

75° / 52°Summer

71° / 49°Fall

How much snow does Fairfax get?Almost none.Rain & snow →Does it ever freeze?In about 70% of years.Frost →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.5° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Fairfax →

Schools in Fairfax

All Fairfax schools →

School Grade A

The public schools Fairfax’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 93% of California’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

#60Best public schoolsof 574 in CA

DistrictRoss Valley ElementarySchools3

Manor Elementary AElementary · Grades K–5 · 234 students Ross Valley Charter AElementary · Grades K–5 · 198 students White Hill Middle AMiddle · Grades 6–8 · 601 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within CA. Ratings are from neighbors.