Novato

A thriving northern Marin city with small-town charm, parks, historic roots, and vibrant community events.

PROPERTY LISTINGS

Price

Living Area

Active Under Contract

MLS® 325051561

Welcome to Novato

At one time, the rest of Marin tried to pretend that Novato belonged to Sonoma County, but Novato's reputation as a cow-town is long gone. Thanks to Novato's active downtown revitalization program, Novato's Old Town is a thriving retail center. Small specialty boutiques, independent restaurants and cafes, like Five Little Monkeys and Powell's Candy Shop, give Old Town the old-fashioned main-street feel that Novato is famous for. Although it has a population of over 51,000 people, Novato prides itself on its small-town atmosphere.

It is the second largest city in Marin and the northernmost, bordering Sonoma. Novato was recently rated by Money magazine at #16 out of 100 as the best city to live and launch a small business. Novato is spread over 28 square miles, from peaks of over 1,500 feet down to an elevation of 18 feet downtown. Novato homes are scattered throughout Ignacio on the southern edge of town, Black Point and Bel Marin Keys along the bay, and large acreages and ranches on the west side, as well as the central part of town. Hamilton Field is a community built on the beautifully restored Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in 1974.

The Novato Unified School District is devoted to high-quality public education and the wonderful Novato Police Department keeps the crime rate much lower than the rest of the Bay Area. Even with all that Novato has going for it, home prices here are still the most affordable in Marin. Novato Creek winds through the city, beginning on the west side of Mt. Burdell and feeding into Stafford Lake. It runs through the city before flowing through Bel Marin Keys and into San Pablo Bay. Novato maintains its rural feel with over 3,600 acres of Open Space; naturally, hiking, mountain biking, and birding are favorite pastimes.

1,558-foot-high Mt. Burdell soars over the town and receives a dusting of snow every winter. Playgrounds and tot-lots dot the city, many in Novato's 27 parks. Stafford Lake Park, 139 acres surrounding a gorgeous 195-acre man-made lake, is a major attraction for visitors and residents who enjoy fishing, hiking, and biking, and it is a popular spot for birthday parties and barbecues. Bird watchers, joggers, and horseback riders can always be found along the Rush Creek trail, running beside the marsh at the base of Mt. Burdell.

In the mid-1850s, pioneers Joseph Sweetser and Francis De Long planted 15,000 acres of orchards and vineyards over what is now the city of Novato. The many walnut trees you see around town are remnants of that time. Novato is proud of its agricultural roots and maintains a rural character. However, Novato is an important center of business and light industry. Novato is home to many technology and biotech companies, as well as the nonprofit Buck Institute for Age Research. It also has an active retail trade. The community gathers together for annual events such as the Novato Festival of Art, Wine and Music, held each June, the immensely festive 4th of July Parade in downtown, and the Labor Day Picnic and Fireworks at Stafford Lake.

Overview for Novato, CA

59,997 people live in Novato, where the median age is 48.5 and the average individual income is $67,395.527. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

59,997

Total Population

48.5 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$67,395.527

Average individual Income

Around Novato, CA

There's plenty to do around Novato, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

87

Very Walkable

Walking Score

73

Very Bikeable

Bike Score

40

Some Transit

Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Embellish!, The Game Fortress, and Tech Lab Jiu Jitsu.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Embellish! page on Yelp Search 23 Andreas Cir on Google Maps	Shopping	2.09 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the The Game Fortress page on Yelp Search 1205 Grant Ave on Google Maps	Shopping	0.27 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Tech Lab Jiu Jitsu page on Yelp Search 113 San Marin Dr on Google Maps	Active	2.03 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the T Block Studio page on Yelp Search 862 Vallejo Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	0.54 miles	14 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Emily Perez Hair Stylist page on Yelp Search 7400 Redwood Blvd on Google Maps	Beauty	0.43 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Keiko Barber And Beauty page on Yelp Search 19 Digital Dr on Google Maps	Beauty	3.25 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Novato, CA

Population Households Employment

Novato has 23,257 households, with an average household size of 7.6. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Novato do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 59,997 people call Novato home. The population density is 1,082.911 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

59,997

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

48.53685184259213

Median Age

50.81 / 49.19%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

23,257

Total Households

7.6

Average Household Size

$67,395.527

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in Novato, CA

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Novato. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name

Explore Other Neighborhoods

Tiburon

Learn More

San Anselmo

Learn More

Hamilton Field

Learn More

Belvedere Island

Learn More

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Novato

PROPERTY LISTINGS

$3,495,000

$3,295,000

$2,850,000

$2,799,000

$2,599,000

$2,349,000

$2,249,000

$2,095,000

$1,749,000

Welcome to Novato

Overview for Novato, CA

59,997

48.5 years

High

$67,395.527

Around Novato, CA

87

Very Walkable

73

Very Bikeable

40

Some Transit

Points of Interest

Demographics and Employment Data for Novato, CA

59,997

High

48.53685184259213

50.81 / 49.19%

23,257

7.6

$67,395.527

Schools in Novato, CA

Explore Other Neighborhoods

Tiburon

San Anselmo

Hamilton Field

Belvedere Island

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