For many years Marin County has been one of the nation’s wealthiest, with an enviable per-capita income. Marin home owners are occupied in a variety of professions that generally demand higher incomes than many other comparable counties.

Diverse Economic Sectors
There is considerable diversity in Marin’s economy. Unlike its neighbors Napa and Sonoma, the economy in Marin County is not heavily focused on any one industry or employment sector. Interestingly, the largest employment sector over recent years is the nonprofit arena where, according to a recent report, 6 percent of the county’s wages were paid. This reflects the mindset of people who call Marin home – residents care deeply for the quality of life in their communities and take responsibility. Marin boasts the highest ratio of nonprofit organizations to population in the entire Bay Area. The 2008 report said that nonprofits brought $950 million a year to the Marin economy, along with countless volunteer hours to benefit communities.

Of course, business, industry and tourism play a vital role in Marin’s economic picture.  The largest private sector employers are health care providers Kaiser Permanente and Marin General Hospital, followed by technology leader, Autodesk and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company.  The mean household income in 2003 was more than $113,000.

Marin’s Purposeful Plan
Because Marin home owners and their local government representatives made a conscious choice to be environmentally responsible and limit development, the commercial sector looks different than it does in comparable counties. There is little of the “big box” development or super-sized office complexes. Marin has worked on a strategy to attract businesses that complement its philosophy – looking toward industries such as the life sciences, multimedia and digital arts and “green” building technologies.  Tourism and agriculture are also a focus.

Marin attracts an educated and innovative population.  About 59 percent of people who call Marin home have college or professional degrees. Among the leaders in innovation was George Lucas whose Skywalker Ranch outside San Rafael became an icon for Marin. Although Lucas moved his headquarters to San Francisco in 2005, he left behind a welcoming environment for other digital arts ventures.

Marin County remains a bastion of ideals and its economic outlook parallels the approach adopted by home owners and residents. Business and industry that suit the vision of Marin’s future as an environmentally aware county dedicated to nurturing the quality of life are welcomed.  The recent nationwide trend toward greater stewardship of the environment shows that Marin County.

This does not mean that Marin's business sector is in any way stagnating.  In 2007, sales of commercial real estate - often a harbinger of economic well being - were very strong. Overall, the vacancy rate for buildings was lower than for the previous year. A particularly important agreement was signed with ImageMovers Digital, a Disney Subsidiary, for 120,000 square feet of space to be completed at Hamilton Landing in Novato. In addition, a large new building in San Rafael was 83 percent pre-leased in the first quarter of 2008. Strength in this commercial sector is a positive signal for all of Marin.

Marin's Eye on the Future

As a wealthy county, Marin retains an optimistic economic outlook. At the same time, Marin home owners express their desire to reinvest in their communities by supporting a large and successful nonprofit sector that brings significant financial benefit to the entire county. In Marin, be it economic development, education or cultural and natural resources – it’s all about the quality of life today and for the future.