San Rafael Population 2026
San Rafael has a population of 59,162, making it the #699 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in California. It is about 149× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
59,162
Rank in United States
#699
Coordinates
37.97°N, 122.53°W
~13 m elevation · America/Los_Angeles
Distance to capital (Washington)
3,922 km
2,436 miles, straight line
Other big cities in California
| City | Population | Rank in United States |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,820,914 | #2 |
| San Diego | 1,404,452 | #8 |
| San Jose | 997,368 | #12 |
| San Francisco | 827,526 | #17 |
| Fresno | 542,107 | #34 |
| Sacramento | 524,943 | #35 |
| Long Beach | 474,140 | #41 |
| Oakland | 419,267 | #45 |
Cities near San Rafael
FAQ
What is the population of San Rafael?
San Rafael has a population of 59,162 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #699 biggest city in United States.
What state is San Rafael in?
San Rafael is located in California, United States.
Is San Rafael the capital of United States?
No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 3,922 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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