Rancho San Rafael, Glendale

Updated · 1,366 residents

Rancho San Rafael is a quiet, residential enclave in Glendale defined by its scenic green spaces and proximity to local leisure areas. While the neighborhood offers a peaceful suburban atmosphere with high air quality, it remains less walkable than the surrounding city average.

Key Highlights

Moderate PrivacyLimited WalkabilityUpscale AestheticDog FriendlySemi-Rural FeelQuiet and ResidentialHigh Traffic NoiseClean AirPurely ResidentialHigh Insurance CoverageModest Liberal LeanMixed Age DemographicModerate Flood RiskExtreme Fire Risk
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About Rancho San Rafael

Rancho San Rafael is characterized by its tranquil, low-density residential streets and significant integration with natural landscapes. The area offers a high degree of visual appeal, featuring a balance of well-maintained homes and open green spaces that provide a buffer from the denser urban core of Glendale. Residents benefit from excellent health insurance coverage and clean air, contributing to a stable and health-conscious living environment. While the neighborhood provides a serene retreat, it is best suited for those who prioritize a quiet, suburban lifestyle over immediate access to high-intensity commercial districts or high walkability.

Living in the area requires a trade-off between its aesthetic, peaceful environment and its limited walkability. The neighborhood experiences moderate road traffic noise, which is typical for the region, and residents should be aware of the local fire safety profile common to hillside-adjacent areas in Southern California. It is an ideal location for individuals or families seeking a settled, quiet community that maintains strong ties to the broader Glendale Unified School District while avoiding the bustle of the city center.

Neighborhood Scores Across 15 Qualities

Privacy Index
Score: 6.2 out of 10

Residential spacing offers a reasonable buffer between neighbors, providing more seclusion than is typical for the Glendale area according to iHuus data.

Ranked #6 in Glendale →
Walkability
Score: 6.9 out of 10

Pedestrian access is restricted by sidewalks appearing only on one side of the street, making this area less walkable than most of Glendale. Safe crossings are available, but navigating the neighborhood on foot is more challenging than the city average.

Ranked #32 in Glendale →
Visual Appeal
Score: 8.5 out of 10

Large residences and well-maintained amenities provide a highly attractive streetscape. According to iHuus data, the visual quality of this area is notably higher than the Glendale average.

Ranked #5 in Glendale →
Dog Friendliness
Score: 8 out of 10

Connected green spaces and wide, traffic-safe paths make this area significantly more pet-friendly than the Glendale average, according to iHuus data.

Ranked #11 in Glendale →
Urban-Rural Index
Score: 8.5 out of 10

Frequent open spaces and scattered homes amid woodland areas provide a much more open and less dense environment than the Glendale average, according to iHuus data.

Ranked #5 in Glendale →
Neighborhood Vibe
Score: 1.2 out of 10

Low-density housing and vast open spaces create a peaceful environment with very little commercial activity. This area is significantly more tranquil than the Glendale average, as it lacks the social density and local business variety found elsewhere in the city.

Ranked #36 in Glendale →
Acoustic Comfort
Score: 3.2 out of 10

Frequent noise from nearby freeway corridors and railroad tracks characterizes this area. According to iHuus data, acoustic comfort levels are lower than the Glendale average.

Ranked #24 in Glendale →
Air Quality
Score: 8.3 out of 10

Air quality is consistently high with only rare instances of elevated readings. This level of cleanliness remains slightly above the Glendale average according to iHuus data.

Ranked #7 in Glendale →
Industrial Proximity
Score: 10 out of 10

Industrial activity is entirely absent from this area, providing a landscape of quiet streets and open green spaces. According to iHuus data, this neighborhood lacks the warehouses or hazard sites found in other parts of Glendale.

Ranked #1 in Glendale →
Health Insurance Coverage
Score: 9.3 out of 10

Health insurance accessibility is exceptionally high in this area, significantly surpassing the Glendale average according to iHuus data.

Ranked #6 in Glendale →
Ideological Lean
Score: 7 out of 10

Political leanings in this area are largely liberal, though the community displays a more moderate ideological profile than the broader Glendale area.

Ranked #34 in Glendale →
Population Age Profile
Score: 5.4 out of 10

Residents live alongside a balanced spread of young adults, families, and older individuals. This demographic profile is largely consistent with the broader Glendale area according to iHuus data.

Ranked #16 in Glendale →
Flood Safety
Score: 4.9 out of 10

Flood risk in this area is higher than the Glendale average, though a detailed FEMA study has not yet been completed for this specific location. Residents should note that the area carries an undetermined level of risk according to iHuus data.

Ranked #15 in Glendale →
Fire Safety
Score: 0.2 out of 10

High levels of wildfire vulnerability exist in this area, representing a significantly higher hazard than the Glendale average. Residents must prioritize maximum fire protection measures according to iHuus data.

Ranked #16 in Glendale →

Address-Level Insights for Rancho San Rafael

iHuus Neighborhood Intelligence Insights

Get address-level neighborhood insights for Rancho San Rafael

  • Street-level scores — see how individual blocks compare, not just neighborhood averages
  • Micro-zone boundaries — identify quiet pockets, flood boundaries, and walkable clusters before you visit
  • 15 dimensions in full — walkability, noise, air quality, school quality, insurance coverage, population age profile, urban/rural index, and more
  • Boundary risk alerts — know if your address sits near a block boundary where scores drop, the kind of detail no listing will ever mention
  • School insights — individual school ratings and insights, not just district-level data
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Compare with Any Neighborhood

Compare with
DimensionRancho San RafaelAdams Hill
🚶
Walkabilityavg 8.69
Score: 6.9 out of 10
Score: 9.2 out of 10
🔊
Acoustic Comfortavg 3.71
Score: 3.2 out of 10
Score: 4.6 out of 10
🤫
Privacy Indexavg 4.65
Score: 6.2 out of 10
Score: 3.9 out of 10
🎨
Visual Appealavg 6.99
Score: 8.5 out of 10
Score: 6.3 out of 10
🐕
Dog Friendlinessavg 5.3
Score: 8 out of 10
Score: 5.5 out of 10
🗺️
Urban-Rural Indexavg 6.32
Score: 8.5 out of 10
Score: 6.8 out of 10
Neighborhood Vibeavg 5.1
Score: 1.2 out of 10
Score: 5.6 out of 10
🏥
Health Insurance Coverageavg 7.89
Score: 9.3 out of 10
Score: 7.1 out of 10
🌿
Air Qualityavg 8.01
Score: 8.3 out of 10
Score: 8 out of 10
🏭
Industrial Proximityavg 8.92
Score: 10 out of 10
Score: 9.1 out of 10
🌊
Flood Safetyavg 2.96
Score: 4.9 out of 10
Score: 1.1 out of 10
🗳️
Ideological Leanavg 8.52
Score: 7 out of 10
Score: 9.5 out of 10
👥
Population Age Profileavg 5.28
Score: 5.4 out of 10
Score: 5.1 out of 10
🔥
Fire Safetyavg 0.5
Score: 0.2 out of 10
Score: 1.2 out of 10
🏫
School Quality
Score: not available
Score: not available

School Insights for Rancho San Rafael

School Insights

See what's really behind every school rating near Rancho San Rafael

  • Individual school ratings — each school's own score with outcome context, not just a district average
  • Enrollment & class size data — student-to-teacher ratio and how it compares to the state average
  • Full demographics breakdown — ethnicity and gender composition for every school in the enrollment zone
  • Every school in the district — all schools within the enrollment boundary ranked by rating, not just the closest one
  • Grade levels & benchmarks — elementary through high school, with below/above state-average flags

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rancho San Rafael a walkable neighborhood?
Rancho San Rafael has a walkability score that is lower than the Glendale city average. While the neighborhood is pleasant for walking, most errands and daily tasks will likely require a vehicle.
What is the noise level like in Rancho San Rafael?
The neighborhood maintains a moderate noise level, with an average of 57 dB primarily attributed to road traffic. It is generally considered a quiet, suburban environment.
How are the schools in the Rancho San Rafael area?
The neighborhood is served by the Glendale Unified School District. The district is known for its high-performing secondary schools, robust academic foundations, and specialized magnet programs.