Santa Venetia, California

Santa Venetia
Census-designated place
Santa Venetia as seen from Terra Linda
Santa Venetia as seen from Terra Linda
Location in Marin County and the state of California
Location in Marin County and the state of California
Santa Venetia is located in the United States
Santa Venetia
Santa Venetia
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 37°59′55″N 122°31′31″W / 37.99861°N 122.52528°W / 37.99861; -122.52528
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyMarin
Government
 • County BoardDistrict 1
Mary Sackett
 • State SenateMike McGuire (D)
 • AssemblyDamon Connolly (D)
 • U. S. CongressJared Huffman (D)
Area
 • Total
3.693 sq mi (9.56 km2)
 • Land3.664 sq mi (9.49 km2)
 • Water0.029 sq mi (0.075 km2)  0.79%
Elevation
56 ft (17 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
4,289
 • Density1,171/sq mi (452.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
94903
Area codes415/628
FIPS code06-70154
GNIS feature ID1659603

Santa Venetia is a census-designated place (CDP) in Marin County, California, United States. It is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of downtown San Rafael, at an elevation of 56 feet (17 m). The population was 4,289 at the 2020 census.

Geography

Santa Venetia is located in eastern Marin County at 37°59′55″N 122°31′31″W / 37.99861°N 122.52528°W / 37.99861; -122.52528. It is bordered to the south and west by the city of San Rafael (the county seat) and to the east by San Pablo Bay, the northern part of the San Francisco Bay estuary. Gallinas Creek forms the northern edge of the community, and the eastern part of the CDP is occupied by China Camp State Park.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km2), of which 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2), or 0.79%, are water.

The main road of the community is North San Pedro Road, which passes by the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Marin County Civic Center. The road runs east through China Camp State Park, along the bay through Peacock Gap, and ends in San Rafael. Santa Venetia has an open space preserve for its marsh as it borders San Pablo Bay.

History

Santa Venetia is built on marshland that was filled in 1914. At that time, real estate developer Mabry McMahan envisioned a bayside luxury development modeled after Venice, Italy. Venice is known as "Venezia" in Italian; however, there is no actual Christian saint ("Santa") named Venice or Venetia. The development was designed to be complete with canals and gondolas. The economic decline following the First World War put an end to the project.

It was only after the Second World War that significant development took place in Santa Venetia, with suburban developments such as Gallinas Village being built on the land originally filled in 1914.

Santa Venetia was home to the local YMCA until it was destroyed by a fire in 1986. Eventually the property was purchased by a developer who erected residential houses that were completed in 1987.

During the 1960s and 1970s the area was known affectionately to residents, especially teenagers, as "Lower Scabo" and "Upper Scabo".[citation needed]

Today Santa Venetia is a quiet neighborhood with a rural feel. Residents treasure its proximity to China Camp State Park, and many homes along the canal have water access.

Demographics

A heron flies by the Marin Post Office in Santa Venetia
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19903,362—
20004,29827.8%
20104,292−0.1%
20204,289−0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
1860–1870 1880-1890
1900 1910 1920
1930 1940 1950
1960 1970 1980
1990 2000 2010
2020

Santa Venetia first appeared as a census designated place in the 1990 U.S. census.

Racial and ethnic composition

Santa Venetia CDP, California – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000 Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 3,256 2,941 2,647 75.76% 68.52% 61.72%
Black or African American alone (NH) 91 85 63 2.12% 1.98% 1.47%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 20 8 9 0.47% 0.19% 0.21%
Asian alone (NH) 256 302 329 5.96% 7.04% 7.67%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) 8 15 6 0.19% 0.35% 0.14%
Other race alone (NH) 11 14 41 0.26% 0.33% 0.96%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 138 112 191 3.21% 2.61% 4.45%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 518 815 1,003 12.05% 18.99% 23.39%
Total 4,298 4,292 4,289 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Santa Venetia had a population of 4,289 and a population density of 1,170.6 inhabitants per square mile (452.0/km2).

The census reported that 96.2% of the population lived in households, 1.3% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 2.6% were institutionalized. 98.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.8% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,647 households, out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18. Of all households, 49.2% were married-couple households, 6.3% were cohabiting couple households, 29.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present, and 15.0% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 28.5% of households were one person, and 18.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.5. There were 1,035 families (62.8% of all households).

The age distribution was 16.7% under the age of 18, 5.7% aged 18 to 24, 20.4% aged 25 to 44, 30.0% aged 45 to 64, and 27.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.0 males.

There were 1,707 housing units at an average density of 465.9 units per square mile (179.9 units/km2), of which 1,647 (96.5%) were occupied. Of these, 72.0% were owner-occupied, and 28.0% were occupied by renters. 3.5% of housing units were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.1%.

Income and poverty

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $138,085, and the per capita income was $74,385. About 2.7% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line.

Santa Venetia market in Marin County

2010 census

At the 2010 census Santa Venetia had a population of 4,292. The population density was 1,166.3 inhabitants per square mile (450.3/km2). The racial makeup of Santa Venetia was 3,335 (77.7%) White, 88 (2.1%) African American, 27 (0.6%) Native American, 306 (7.1%) Asian, 16 (0.4%) Pacific Islander, 350 (8.2%) from other races, and 170 (4.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 815 people (19.0%).

The census reported that 4,080 people (95.1% of the population) lived in households, 65 (1.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 147 (3.4%) were institutionalized.

There were 1,655 households, 480 (29.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 769 (46.5%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 180 (10.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 81 (4.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 87 (5.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 21 (1.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 455 households (27.5%) were one person and 228 (13.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.47. There were 1,030 families (62.2% of households); the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 802 people (18.7%) under the age of 18, 220 people (5.1%) aged 18 to 24, 961 people (22.4%) aged 25 to 44, 1,435 people (33.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 874 people (20.4%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 47.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

There were 1,706 housing units at an average density of 463.6 per square mile, of the occupied units 1,188 (71.8%) were owner-occupied and 467 (28.2%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 2.1%. 2,925 people (68.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,155 people (26.9%) lived in rental housing units.

Education

Residents are in both the San Rafael Elementary School District and the San Rafael High School District, jointly operated as San Rafael City Schools.

Venetia Valley K-8 School is the K-8 school serving the community. Residents may choose either San Rafael High School or Terra Linda High School.

Notable residents

Santa Venetia Neighborhood Association

The SVNA is an active neighborhood association. It describes its mission as "preserv[ing] and promot[ing] the quality of life in the Santa Venetia community". This is achieved by "encouraging healthy social interaction; facilitating the flow of information; and protecting the natural beauty and economic well-being of the community".

The SVNA holds regular community meetings, hosts social events and neighborhood work days and publishes a bi-monthly newsletter.

References

  1. 1 2 "Final Maps | California Citizens Redistricting Commission". Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  2. ↑ "California's 2nd Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Santa Venetia, California
  5. 1 2 "P1. Race – Santa Venetia CDP, California: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  6. ↑ Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, California: Word Dancer Press. p. 698. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  7. ↑ Santa Venetia Prospectuses
  8. ↑ Northbridge History
  9. ↑ "60 years and going strong: YMCA anniversary to coincide with fundraiser". September 16, 2006.
  10. ↑ "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ↑ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  13. ↑ "1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  14. ↑ "1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  15. ↑ "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 4, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  16. ↑ "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 28, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  17. ↑ "1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  18. ↑ "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  19. ↑ "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 19, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  20. ↑ "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  21. ↑ "1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  22. ↑ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  23. 1 2 "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  24. 1 2 "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  25. ↑ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  26. ↑ "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 28, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  27. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Santa Venetia CDP, California". United States Census Bureau.
  28. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Santa Venetia CDP, California". United States Census Bureau.
  29. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Santa Venetia CDP, California". United States Census Bureau.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  31. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  32. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Santa Venetia CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Santa Venetia CDP, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  35. ↑ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Santa Venetia CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  36. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Marin County, CA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 28, 2023. - Text list
  37. ↑ "Home". Venetia Valley K-8 School. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  38. ↑ "School Attendance Boundary Information". San Rafael City Schools. Retrieved April 29, 2023. What about High School?[...]
  39. ↑ Sutin, Lawrence. (2005). Divine Invasions: A Life of Philip K. Dick. Carroll & Graf Publishers. ISBN 0-7867-1623-1.
  40. ↑ Levine, Richard M. (1982). Bad Blood: A Family Murder in Marin County. New American Library. ISBN 0-451-12548-7.
  41. ↑ "Home". Santa Venetia Neighborhood Association. Retrieved January 1, 2020.