Towns in Marin
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Marin County, located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, is truly one of the most ideal places to live in the United States. With its proximity to San Francisco, Mediterranean climate, extensive parklands, magnificent scenery and excellent school system, there is no wonder why the demand for housing in the county is so strong. Marin is comprised of 12 major cities on a triangular peninsula surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. The only neighbor is Sonoma County which is north of Marin. In terms of land area, Marin is the fourth smallest of all 58 counties in California and 34th in population. Approximately 84% of the county is undeveloped. |
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County Statistics
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Population: 247,200
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Size: 521 square miles
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Median Single Family Home Price, October, 2011: $760,000. Generally, home prices are relative to the distance from San Francisco. The further from the City, the more affordable the community. Listed below are the statistics for each city in Marin.
Corte Madera, Population: 9,378
Median age: 41, Residents Under 18: 23%
Corte Madera which means “cut wood” is located just north of Mill Valley and is bordered by open space preserves, luscious hills and a creek. The town’s land extends to the bay and comprises 4 square miles of some of the most beautiful Marin scenery. Highway 101 divides the town into east and west locations and is still considered by Marinites as an easy San Francisco commute.Corte Madera is home to two major shopping malls, The Village (90 stores including Macy’s and Nordstrom) and the Town Center (60 shops and restaurants). Several automobile dealerships also are in the town’s boundaries, which with the malls, significantly contribute to Corte Madera’s annual tax revenue. Consequently, the town’s many activities are well funded through this healthy revenue stream.
Corte Madera shares a school system and police department with Larkspur. Crime in the area is low. The Larkspur/Corte Madera School District includes Neil Cummins and Hall Middle School, both whose students consistently attain high academic scores. Most teenagers in the district attend the highly regarded local high school, Redwood High. Due to a bond measure passed by the community, Redwood High was recently beautifully renovated and equipped with the latest technology. Redwood has the greatest percent of students advancing to college of all Marin County High Schools and consistently brings in top state-wide academic rankings.
Fairfax, Population: 7,309
Median age: 42, Residents Under 18: 19%
Fairfax, the gateway to beautiful West Marin, is the county's example of an artsy community with limited development, gorgeous scenery and very liberal attitudes. The population has only varied by approximately 100 residents in the last 28 years which is the primary reason the folks here can claim that they really get to know one
another.
Most of the houses are nestled in the hills surrounded by miles of open space. Many older structures were built as summer homes for San Franciscans eager to flee the summer fog. About half of the homes were constructed in the 1950-1960 period. There are a limited number of newer developments which have added about 325 homes in the last 10-15 years
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The town adjoins several lakes-Bon Tempe, Lagunitas, Alpine and Kent, and miles of beautiful trails which attracts hikers and bikers year round. Fairfax is home to Joe Breeze and Otis Guy who are creditied with the development of mountain biking in the 1970's.
The downtown with its small town atmosphere is quite charming with a mix of eclectic restaurants, shops, and an old movie house and pavillion that are the centers for fun summertime festivals.
Although the community is opposed to development, they do pass bonds to improve the schools. Test scores for the elementary schools, part of the Ross Valley District, are consistently in the 90th percentile range. The local high school, Drake High School in the Tamalpais School District, has recently undergone a massive remodel which has significantly improved the campus.
Greenbrae, Population: 12,072 
Greenbrae is a bedroom community located 20 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Development of the neighborhood began in 1946 by Niels Schultz and his father. They purchased the land, over 600, acres from the Archdiocese of San Francisco to build mostly custom homes along winding streets in the hills. The Shultzes took special care to preserve the stately and majestic oaks that covered the beautiful hillside which was quite uncommon for the era.
Today the Bon Air Shopping Center serves as the downtown of the area. Greenbrae is noted for its perfect temperature, outstanding school system from k-12, and its convenient loaction to both San Francisco and the East Bay.
Kentfield, Population: 6,351
Median age: 45, Under 18: 25%
Kentfield, located between Ross and Larkspur, is a wealthy unincorporated neighborhood comprised of approximately 6,400 residents with an average income level in excess of $150,000. The San Francisco commute is a bit further than Larkspur, but is still considered tolerable.
Most of the residences are constructed on large wooded lots set back from the streets so one rarely encounters a neighbor.
The Kentfield school system includes two schools, Anthony Bacich Elementary (K-4) and Adeline Kent Middle School (5-8). District boundaries encompass Kentfield, Greenbrae and only a very western section of Larkspur. The community is very diligent about passing parcel taxes and bond measures to maintain small class sizes, superior academic offerings, and renovated buildings. Test scores are consistently in the 90th percentile in the state. Most teens advance to Redwood High School in the Tamalpais School District.
Larkspur, Population: 12,014
Median age: 46, Under 18: 16%
Larkspur, a historic quaint town, was incorporated in 1908 and has since maintained the wonderful charm from over a century ago. The town was developed by Charles Wright whose wife intended to name the town after a local flower she thought was a larkspur. The flower actually was a lupine, however the name stuck.
The commute to San Francisco is most definitely tolerable by car or one can easily access the ferry at Larkspur Landing for a 30 minute ride to downtown San Francisco.
The historic downtown sets Larkspur apart from many other Marin cities and attracts food and wine connoisseurs from all over. Larkspur is home to several wonderful restaurants such as, The Lark Creek Inn, Left Bank and Emporio Rulli. A few years back residents raised $400,000 to save the art deco Lark Theatre and today it stands as a downtown focal point, a tribute to their fine efforts.
Larkspur shares a school system and police department with Corte Madera. Crime in the area is low. The Larkspur/Corte Madera School District includes Neil Cummins and Hall Middle School, both whose students consistently attain high academic scores. Most teenagers in the district attend the highly regarded local high school, Redwood High. Due to a bond measure passed by the community, Redwood High was recently beautifully renovated and equipped with the latest technology. Redwood has the greatest percent of students advancing to college of all Marin County High Schools and consistently brings in top state-wide academic rankings.
Mill Valley, Population: 13,686 
Median age: 41, Residents Under 18: 21%
Incorporated in 1900, Mill Valley is located in southern Marin just 10 miles from San Francisco. This idyllic community is bordered on three sides by the Golden Gate National Recereation Area, Muir Woods and Mt. Tamalpais State Park The city offers sensational recreational opportunities, an excellent and well funded school system, a quaint donwtown area and moderate climate.
Mill Valley attracts nationally known writers, artists, and rock stars. Two national financial publications described Mill Valley in this way. "Dot-com millionaires and power couples in the film and music industries are flocking to what long ago was a hangout for artistis and reformed hippies."
The city sponsors the Fall Arts Festival, the longest running festival in the County. The Film Festival attracts stars filmakers and movie buffs from around the world
Home styles and sizes vary widely from bungalows to condos to track homes to over sized custom homes. The City council now restricts the size of new homes. Fewer than 100 buildable lots remain in Mill Valley.
Novato, Population: 50,586
Median age: 40, Residents Under 18: 23% 
Novato is the second most populous city in Marin and is one of the only cities in the County with any measurable growth or new housing within the last 10 years. This northern most city is home to Marin County's youngest population and the only Marin community that has realized an increase in popultion within the last 5 years. The increase is primarily due to the recent develpment of the former military base, Hamilton Field.
In 1996, Phase I of the Hamilton development began on the east side of Hwy 101 which comprised 900 single family homes, 70 apartments specifically for the elderly, and 535,000 sf of commercial/office space. The development was very well received and thus a second phase of the Hamilton project began approximately in the late 1990's on the west side of Hwy 101, the former military housing site for Hamilton Field. Here develpers demolished the abandon military housing on Ignacio Blvd and constucted 425 homes and 100 senior apartments. Since this was the County's only significant development in decades, it created considerable excitement and attention.
Novato is proud to claim that it is home to the Buck Institute for Age Research and Fireman's Fund. The
city hopes to attract more high-tech and bio-tech firms in the next 5 years.
There are two major shopping areas in Novato; Vintage Oaks (Costco, Target, Macy's, Old Navy, Marshall's, Ross, etc) and the recently rejuvenated downtown area that features trendy local restaurants, unique shops and the two most welcomed additions--Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Grocery Store.
Generally academic scores are above average to good. There exists specific schools, such as Rancho Elementary, with exceptionally high test scores.
Since Novato is the northern most Marin city, the commute to SF can be challenging. The Hwy 101 freeway widening project, completed in 2010 , significantly improved the traffic congestion.
San Anselmo, Population: 12,378 
Median age: 41, Under 18: 22%
Just past the peaceful town of Ross, but before Fairfax lies the delightful community of San Anselmo. The railroad gave San Anselmo its start in 1875, then later the town incorporated in 1907. The historical roots are clearly apparent in the quaint downtown area which is home to one of the best antique centers, excellent restaurants, and eclectic boutiques.
Prior to 1980 San Anselmo was a mostly middle-class affordable town, however, as the town’s popularity grew, so did the price tag and number of remodeling projects. The median home price presently hovers around $910,000.
The area is very conducive to families with its top schools and several parks, fields, trails and athletic offerings. San Anselmo shares a fire department and a school district with its westerly neighbor, Fairfax. School test scores consistently fall in the 90th percentile in the elementary and middle school grades.
The commute is still reasonable for homes situated before the “hub” closer to highway 101. The Sir Francis Drake corridor can be somewhat challenging for those located close to Fairfax or in the Sleepy Hollow area.
Ross, Population: 2,349
Median age: 43, Residents Under 18: 30% 
Just past Kentfield on Sir Francis Drake Blvd lies the small sleepy town of Ross which is mostly noted for its distinguished homes, famous residents, and median home price in excess of $3,000,000.
Gorgeous tree-lined streets enhance the grand architecture and fabulous custom homes. The town is centered around the commericial area, Ross Commons, where most of town's activities, celebrations and
commerce take place.
Children attend Ross Elementary, the only K-8 school in the town with academic rankings in the 99th percentile. Child Magazine listed Ross Elementary as one to the top 10 schools in the United States.
Ross is home to Phoenix Lake, one of the five Mt. Tam reservoirs and the hub of numerous biking and gorgeous hiking trails.
San Rafael, Population: 57,224
Median age: 39, Residents Under 18: 19%
San Rafael, the County seat and most populated city in Marin, also serves as the cultural and political center. It is home to the second most visited tourist attraction in Marin, the San Rafael Civic Center which is the architectural masterpiece of Frank Lloyd Wright.
The downtown area, Fourth St, has recently undergone an impressive transformation/redevelopment. One of the most significant projects was the restoration of the Christofer B. Smith Film Center. This art deco building constructed in 1938 closed for 10 years following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Then in 1999 community members raised almost $ 7 million to refurbish and restore the theater. It is now the center of activity in the downtown area hosting film festivals and community events.
San Rafael is comprised of several distinct neighborhoods divided by roads, hills and housing developments. Some of the largest neighborhoods are Marinwood, Terra Linda, Dominican, Peacock Gap, Canal, Gerstle Park, Forbes and Sun Valley.
The city has 2 elementary school districts, San Rafael and Dixie. The students in the Dixie School District consistently score in the 80th-90th percentiles while the test scores of the San Rafael District vary widely throughout the district.
Sausalito, Population: 7,374 Median age: 45, Residents Under 18: 7%
Sausalito which means "place of little willows" is Marin's southern most community (first exit off the Golden Gate Bridge) and a top tourist destination--over 1.5 million per year. The town is often compare to a mediterranean village, perched on a steep hillside with spectacular waterfront vistas, open cafes and numerous restaurants.
Sausalitio is primarily an adult town with only about 7% of the population children. Many of the homes are situated on steep hillsides which are accessed by narrow winding roads, but the drive is worth the Bay views. A unique component to the area is the city's 350 houseboats that have full time residents.
The commute to San Francisco is excellent, approximately 7 minutes to the Golden Gate Bridge, and 22 minutes to downtown San Francisco on a good day
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The school system which includes less than 300 students is ranked the lowest in the County. Many residents send their children to private schools.
Tiburon/Belvedere, Population: 2132
Median age: 53, Residents Under 18: 20% 
The area is one of the most prestigious addresses in the entire nine county Bay Area. Most recently a mining magnate signed a tentative deal to sell his historic mansion in Belvedere for $65 million which is a record for Northern California.
The major thoroughfare is Tiburon Bld which runs along the shore from Highway 101. Many of the homes are on a steep hillside with gorgeous Bay and San Francisco views. At the tip of the Tiburon peninsula is the island of Belvedere, one of the 10 richest towns in the United States. This exclusive enclave is home to the oldest yacht club in California.
Academic rankings are among the highest in the state. Belvedere and Tiburon are seved by the very well funded Reed School District.
West Marin (Bolinas, Inverness, Muir Beach, Nicasio, Point Reyes Station, Stinson Beach, Tomales, Woodacre, San Geronimo)
Truly the scenic jewel of Marin County, West Marin encompasses miles of pristine coastal land, stunning rural landscapes and magnificent ridge tops. The area is home to the Point National Seahore the the Golden Gate National Recreational Area. Agriculture is the primary use of the land and long standing financial agreements with the farming community has kept the developers away.
Residents enjoy a country lifestyle amid the pristine beaches, wildlife, quaint shops and slower lifestyle.