About Fairfax
Fairfax derives its name from Lord Charles Fairfax, a Baron from Scotland, whose ancestors were given a large land grant in Virginia and who was lured west during the Gold Rush. A popular figure, Fairfax was elected a Marin County Supervisor 1865; but died young in 1969 after traveling east as a delegate to the National Democratic Conference.
The further one drives on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, the warmer the summers are and the farther back in time it seems you have traveled. Upon arrival to the town of Fairfax, you have reached one of the most laid-back towns in Marin with some of the best Mountain biking and hiking in the county. Many of the towns residents made the same drive 25 years ago and, realizing they found their bucolic oasis, have stayed put. The area is know for its huge Fourth of July picnics and Big Band parties of the 1960's. Fairfax is ideal spot for outdoor lovers with almost limitless hiking and picnicking on lakes and forested trails on the watershed lands and slopes of Mt. Tamalpais.
Fairfax is not a big town, but has quaint shops lining Broadway, including variety stores, boutiques and grocery stores. The evening entertainment scene is lively with restaurants and bars featuring live music as well as a movie theatre-- all along the same stretch in downtown Fairfax.
Fairfax gets less fog than most other towns in Marin and has beautiful, long warm summer days. If you plan on commuting to San Francisco from Fairfax, it is best to leave early and return early, or return late as the "rush hour" on 101 and Sir Francis Drake is almost that-an "hour".
The historical price trends for Fairfax show a less rapid rate of appreciation that other Marin towns with 2006 average sale price around $788,000-- which means that families on a budget can still buy a single family residence for a reasonable sum of money-considering they are still within a 25-50 minute drive of San Francisco.
Fairfax Schools: Ross Valley Schools District
The Ross Valley School District is an elementary / middle school district serving the central Marin communities of San Anselmo and Fairfax. District enrollment is approximately 1,775 students and upon graduation, most students attend Sir Francis Drake High School.
Cheryl Crawley, Superintendent
110 Shaw Drive
415-451-4060
rvsd.marin.k12.ca.us
San Anselmo Schools: Ross Valley School District
| Brookside Lower School (k-2) | 415-453-2948 | 116 Butterfield Rd |
| Brookside Upper School ((3-5) | 415-454-7409 | 46 Green Valley CT |
| Manor School (k-5) | 415-453-1544 | 150 Oak Manor Drive, Fairfax |
| Wade Tomas School (k-5) | 415-454-4603 | 150 Ross Ave |
| White Hill School (6-8) | 415-454-8390 | 101 Glen Dr. |
| Sir Francis Drake High School (9-12) | 415-453-8770 | 1327 Sir Francis Drake |
Fairfax Historical Pricing
Investing in Fairfax Real Estate, like most Marin towns, has been a rewarding experience-not only did you live in one of the greatest suburbs in the world, but you also made a small fortune doing so. In 1970 the average house in Fairfax sold for $28,355; by 2006 that number had risen to $788,700 for a 36 year compounded rate of return of 9.7%. The dollar rate of return interestingly tells more: the total dollar rate of return since 1970 is about $760,360 but more than half of has come since 1997.
Fairfax's rate of return is about 9.7 % and is significantly behind the Marin County average of 9.8% from 1970 through 2006. The good news is that you can still buy a home in Fairfax for a reasonable sum of money considering you are only 45 minutes or so from San Francisco. The State of California average real estate rate of return from 1970 through 2006 was 9.0% and the national average rate of return was only 6.5%.
| Year | Fairfax | Marin County | California | USA Average |
| 2007 | 805,411 | 1,201,931 | 556,640 | 221,900 |
| 2006 | 788,716 | 1,090,916 | 556,640 | 221,900 |
| 2005 | 815,305 | 1,078,819 | 522,670 | 219,000 |
| 2004 | 696,970 | 929,103 | 450,770 | 195,200 |
| 2003 | 607,864 | 817,961 | 371,520 | 180,200 |
| 2002 | 584,731 | 782,829 | 316,130 | 167,600 |
| 2001 | 523,662 | 757,523 | 262,350 | 156,600 |
| 2000 | 457,863 | 722,780 | 241,350 | 147,300 |
| 1999 | 389,610 | 590,821 | 217,510 | 141,200 |
| 1998 | 343,179 | 495,093 | 200,100 | 136,000 |
| 1997 | 325,912 | 443,135 | 186,490 | 129,000 |
| 1996 | 319,946 | 417,324 | 177,270 | 122,600 |
| 1995 | 285,272 | 397,069 | 178,160 | 117,000 |
| 1990 | 265,468 | 379,581 | 197,770 | 97,300 |
| 1985 | 141,560 | 200,557 | 119,860 | 75,500 |
| 1980 | 130,483 | 168,508 | 99,550 | 62,200 |
| 1975 | 48,955 | 64,215 | 41,600 | 35,300 |
| 1970 | 28,355 | 37,845 | 24,640 | 23,000 |
| 36 Year Return | 9.7% | 9.8% | 9.0% | 6.5% |
| 2006 % of | 100% | 72% | 142% | 355% |
| 11 Year Average | 100% | 72% | 167% | 317% |
Fairfax Compounded 36 Year Rate of Return
| Mortgage Type: | No Mortgage | 50% Mortgage | 80% Mortgage | Dollar Return |
| Fairfax | 9.7% | 11.8% | 14.6% | $760,361 |
| Marin County Average | 9.8% | 11.9% | 14.7% | 1,053,071 |
| California | 9.0% | 11% | 13.9% | $532,000 |
| USA | 6.5% | 8.4% | 11% | $198,900 |
Please visit "Investing in Marin Real Estate for town to town comparisons, price trends and rates of return for the County as a whole.
