Town Hall · San Rafael

San Rafael, CA town hall & government

San Rafael spent $154.4 million in the year to June 30, 2022, about $2,638 per resident.

Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach San Rafael's government.

Town budget

Where San Rafael's money goes

Spent
$154.4 million
fiscal year to June 30, 2022
Per resident
$2,638
typical California cities: $1,906
Long-term debt
$107.6 million
$1,839 per resident
Roads & transportation
$47.6 million31%
Police
$31.4 million20%
Administration & buildings
$23.5 million15%
Fire
$22.8 million15%
Parks & libraries
$11.6 million8%
Health & welfare
$9.1 million6%
Courts, inspections & corrections
$3.9 million3%
Interest on debt
$2.5 million2%
Paid to other governments
$1.2 million1%
Other
$726,000<1%

Where the money comes from

  • Sales taxes 37%
  • Fees & charges 20%
  • Property taxes 16%
  • From the federal government 10%
  • Other taxes & licenses 7%
  • From the state 7%
  • Interest, fines & other 3%
  • From other local governments 1%
Town workforce

Who works for San Rafael

Full-time staff
369
67 part-time too
Average full-time pay
$116,200
a year, before benefits
Sworn police officers
69
and 67 full-time firefighters
Police
96 full-time
Fire
86 full-time
Parks & libraries
33 full-time51 part
Schools
28 full-time13 part
Roads & transportation
27 full-time
Administration & buildings
25 full-time1 part
Housing & development
22 full-time
Sewer & trash
11 full-time
Courts, inspections & corrections
3 full-time
Other
38 full-time2 part

Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.

Schools · school year 2023–24

San Rafael City High School District

San Rafael's high school district, shared with Novato. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.

Spending per pupil
$20,459
California: $21,206
Students
2,653
in the whole district
Long-term debt
$212.4 million
at year end

Where the district's money comes from California districts overall: 36% local, 52% state, 11% federal

  • Local 78%
  • State 18%
  • Federal 4%

Of the $20,459 per pupil, $12,409 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.

Also serving San Rafael: San Rafael City Elementary School District ($21,389 per pupil) · Dixie Elementary School District ($18,153 per pupil).

Property tax

What homeowners in San Rafael pay

Typical tax bill
$10,000+
a year · California typical $5,124
Typical home value
$1,355,600
owner-occupied

The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.

Local

Contact San Rafael's government

🏛️ Official websitecityofsanrafael.org ↗

Town hall & decisions in San Rafael →

Beyond town hall

Who represents San Rafael

San Rafael is represented in Congress by Senators Alex Padilla and Adam B. Schiff and Representative Jared Huffman. Gavin Newsom is governor.

All of San Rafael's representatives, with contacts →

Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.

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San Rafael

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