state record · population
Population of California
California had an estimated population of 39,431,263 on July 1, 2024, according to the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
What stands out
California had an estimated population of 39,431,263 on July 1, 2024, according to the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. Since July 2020 that is -0.2 % (-90,695 people); since 2010 it is +5.7 %. Migration is the larger driver since 2020: net migration -465,039 against a natural change (births minus deaths) of +389,684. Among the 51 states in the United States, it ranks 1 by population. Values for 2010–2019 and 2020–2024 come from two estimate vintages benchmarked to different censuses; the 2019→2020 step is partly a rebasing.
Population and components of change
July 1 estimates; components per estimate year (July–June).
Largest counties in California
By latest estimate, with change since July 2020. Each links to the county's own population record.
| County | Population | Since 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | 9,757,179 | -2.4 % |
| San Diego County | 3,298,799 | -0.1 % |
| Orange County | 3,170,435 | -0.5 % |
| Riverside County | 2,529,933 | +4.3 % |
| San Bernardino County | 2,214,281 | +1.4 % |
| Santa Clara County | 1,926,325 | +0.1 % |
| Alameda County | 1,649,060 | -1.9 % |
| Sacramento County | 1,611,231 | +1.5 % |
| Contra Costa County | 1,172,607 | +0.6 % |
| Fresno County | 1,024,125 | +1.4 % |
| Kern County | 922,529 | +1.8 % |
| Ventura County | 835,427 | -1.0 % |
| San Francisco County | 827,526 | -5.4 % |
| San Joaquin County | 816,108 | +4.5 % |
| San Mateo County | 742,893 | -2.6 % |
| Stanislaus County | 556,972 | +0.6 % |
| Sonoma County | 485,375 | -0.6 % |
| Tulare County | 483,546 | +2.0 % |
| Solano County | 455,101 | +0.5 % |
| Santa Barbara County | 444,500 | -0.8 % |
| Monterey County | 436,251 | -1.0 % |
| Placer County | 433,822 | +6.9 % |
| Merced County | 296,774 | +4.9 % |
| San Luis Obispo County | 281,843 | -0.0 % |
| Santa Cruz County | 262,406 | -3.4 % |
Largest cities and towns in California
Incorporated places, latest estimate. The Census Bureau publishes totals only for places, no components.
| Place | Population | Since 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles city | 3,878,704 | -0.4 % |
| San Diego city | 1,404,452 | +1.4 % |
| San Jose city | 997,368 | -1.2 % |
| San Francisco city | 827,526 | -5.4 % |
| Fresno city | 550,105 | +1.4 % |
| Sacramento city | 535,798 | +1.9 % |
| Long Beach city | 450,901 | -3.2 % |
| Oakland city | 443,554 | +0.6 % |
| Bakersfield city | 417,468 | +3.0 % |
| Anaheim city | 344,561 | -0.6 % |
| Stockton city | 324,975 | +1.2 % |
| Riverside city | 323,757 | +2.6 % |
| Irvine city | 318,683 | +3.3 % |
| Santa Ana city | 316,184 | +1.6 % |
| Chula Vista city | 278,546 | +1.0 % |
| Santa Clarita city | 229,159 | -1.4 % |
| Fremont city | 228,192 | -1.0 % |
| San Bernardino city | 224,775 | +1.2 % |
| Modesto city | 220,592 | +0.9 % |
| Fontana city | 218,455 | +4.4 % |
| Moreno Valley city | 213,919 | +2.4 % |
| Oxnard city | 200,616 | -0.6 % |
| Huntington Beach city | 193,151 | -2.7 % |
| Glendale city | 187,823 | -4.2 % |
| Ontario city | 185,285 | +5.4 % |
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