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Novato is located in far northern Marin County. Downtown Novato is 20 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, 27 miles from downtown San Francisco, and about 40 miles from Oakland. Novato is 26 miles from Santa Rosa, the largest city in Sonoma County.
Novato has a long list of attractive features for businesses and residents, including:
- A characteristic small town atmosphere
- Low population density with 3,500 acres of open space and parks
- An educated workforce
- High household income
- Lower housing prices than many Bay Area cities
- One of the largest retail centers in the North Bay
- Rapidly-growing software and professional services industries, with expanding international markets
- High investment in public schools and education
- One of the lowest crime rates in the Bay Area
Novato's rural atmosphere stems largely from its low population density and high amounts of open space and parks in and near the city. Novato's population density is about one-half that of San Rafael, and is nearly one-third that of Petaluma and Vallejo. Novato's sphere of influence includes nearly 3,500 acres of open space, and the city itself is home to a total of 27 parks, including three major city parks.
Novato's economic base is well integrated into the emerging new economy of the San Francisco Bay Area. This new economy represents a fundamental shift towards small, knowledge-based businesses launched by entrepreneurs. These businesses also are typically oriented towards global, rather than local markets. Businesses are supported by Novato's high-skilled, highly-educated labor force of nearly 25,000. These workers are increasingly engaged in professional service industries, including business, legal, engineering, and other services.
Housing in Novato is affordable. The median housing price in late 1996 was just over $250,000, well below the Marin County average and slightly below the average for the nine-county Bay Area. Novato's high personal income level and relatively low housing costs push median discretionary income for city residents to double the Bay Area average.
Novato is now home to Vintage Oaks, one of the leading retail centers in the North Bay. Novato is planning a major revitalization of its downtown areas, which should further augment local tax revenues and strengthen employment.
Novato's public schools are among the best in the Bay Area, demonstrated by higher-than-average student assessment scores and higher-than-average spending per pupil. Novato's per pupil spending is about 10 percent higher than the average in Sonoma and Solano counties.
Finally, Novato's crime rate is much lower than the Bay Area average. In 1995, 4.5 crimes were committed per 1,000 Novato residents, about one-half the rate in San Francisco and Vallejo.
In the near future, the development of The Buck Center for Research in Aging in northern Novato, Digital Village at the College of Marin's Novato campus, and the re-use of Hamilton Air Force Base will strengthen the economy further and provide opportunities for business expansion.
Government and Utilities
Novato, California is the northernmost city in Marin County, approximately twenty-nine miles north of San Francisco and thirty-seven miles northwest of Oakland. Novato covers twenty-eight square miles. As of the 2000 Census, Novato has a population of 47,630 which is 76.3% White, 13.1% Hispanic, 5.1% Asian, 1.9% Black and 3.6% all other races. The State of California estimates Novato's population at 48,754 as of January 1, 2002.
The highest point in Novato is Mt. Burdell at 1,558 feet. The elevation in downtown Novato is 18 feet. The mean annual temperature is 67 degrees, with an average minimum of 46 degrees and an average maximum of 71 degrees. Rainfall averages approximately 27.5 inches per year. Novato is California's 153rd largest city.
The City of Novato was incorporated on January 20, 1960 as a general law city. The City Council is made up of five members, elected at large, serving four-year terms. The Mayor is selected for a one-year term from among the members of the City Council. The City operates under a council-manager form of government. The City Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk.
The City of Novato delivers municipal services through six departments: Central Administration (City Manager, City Clerk, City Attorney, Redevelopment, Housing Services), Administrative Services (Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology), Community Development (Planning and Building), Police, Public Works (Engineering, Street and Park Maintenance), and Parks, Recreation and Community Services. Fire services are provided in Novato by the Novato Fire Protection District; refuse and recycling services are provided by Novato Disposal under a franchise agreement with the Novato Sanitary District. Waste water services are provided by the Novato Sanitary District; water services by the North Marin Water District; public transit services by the Golden Gate Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, animal control services by the Marin Humane Society; and library services by the Marin County Free Library.
Gas and electric services are provided in Novato by Pacific Gas and Electric. Telephone service in Novato is provided by Verizon in the northern and central sections of Novato and by PCS in the southern section. Cable television service is provided by Comcast Cable throughout Novato.
Education and Research
The Novato Unified School District serves over 7,600 students in kindergarten through high school in nine elementary, three middle and three high schools.
The College of Marin serves 8,800 students at two campuses: one in Kentfield and their Indian Valley Campus in Novato. The college offers 55 Associates of Arts/Science degree programs.
The Buck Institute is one of the foremost non-profit, independent biomedical research institutes in the world.
Business and Industry
The City of Novato successfully mixes corporate headquarters, state-of-the art technology companies and a variety of retail centers in its business community.
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company is the City's (and Marin County's) largest employer with 2,400 employees. Founded in 1863, Fireman's Fund has been providing premier business and personal insurance for over 135 years.
In addition to Fireman's Fund, Novato is the corporate headquarters for footwear company Birkenstock Footprint Sandals, and Smith and Hawken, the nation's premier retailer for gardening enthusiasts.
Novato is also a center of technology businesses as well. Known as the "home of the CD-ROM", Novato is home to such computer software and telecommunications companies as Broderbund, IMSI, Inc. and Sonic Solutions.
Retail businesses in Novato take many forms. The Vintage Oaks Shopping Center is a regional mall that serves as home to Costco, Target, Macy's Furniture Center, Novato Toyota and Marin Pontiac, Buick, GMC.
There is an active retail area in downtown Novato with shops and restaurants as well as other shopping areas located throughout the City. Novato is also home to TravelSmith, a successful company that sells travel clothing and accessories throughout the world through its catalogue business and on the Internet.
Recreation and Leisure
Novato has a rural atmosphere largely because of its low population density and the high amount of open space and parks in and near the city. Novato's population density is about one-half that of San Rafael, and is nearly one-third that of Petaluma and Vallejo.
Novato's sphere of influence contains seven county-maintained open space preserves with more than 2,600 acres of open space-including 1,600 acres surrounding Mt. Burdell in Northern Novato. Including Olompali State Park, just north of Novato, the total is nearly 3,500 acres. The city itself is home to a total of twenty-seven parks, including three major city parks. The North Marin Water District also maintains an open space preserve near Loma Verde.
Major community events include the Novato Festival of Art, Wine and Music each June, Concerts in the Park throughout the summer, the annual 4th of July Parade in downtown Novato and the City's Labor Day Picnic at Stafford Lake.
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