Unites States >> States >> California
California Population Overview 2026
California is a state in the Western United States, bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. It is the most populous state in the United States and the third-largest state by land area.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, California recorded a population of 39,538,223 in the 2020 Census. The latest Census population estimate (July 1, 2024) places California’s population at 39,431,263, reflecting a marginal decline compared to 2020.
Based on recent Census trends, net migration patterns, and natural population change, California’s population is projected to stabilize and gradually recover over the next few years.
👉 Projected Population of California (2026): ~40.0 million
Area and Population Density
California covers a total land area of 155,959 square miles (403,932 km²), ranking 3rd largest among U.S. states.
Population Density: ~254 people per square mile
U.S. Density Rank: 11th most densely populated state
Despite its large land area, population concentration remains heavily skewed toward coastal metropolitan regions, particularly Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Population Growth (2010–2020)
Between 2010 and 2020, California experienced moderate population growth compared to previous decades.
Population Increase: 2,284,267 people
Decadal Growth Rate: 6.1%
This marked a slowdown from earlier high-growth decades, driven largely by:
Reduced international migration
Domestic out-migration
Declining birth rates
California Census Snapshot (2020)
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 39,538,223 |
| Population Rank | 1st |
| Percentage Change (2010–2020) | 6.10% |
| Total Land Area | 155,959 sq mi |
| Area Rank | 3rd |
| Population Density | 253.6 per sq mi |
California Historical Population
California has witnessed one of the most dramatic population expansions in U.S. history. From just 2.3 million residents in 1910, the state grew to nearly 40 million by 2020.
Decadal Population Change (1910–2020)
| Year | Population | Percentage Change |
| 1910 | 2,377,549 | – |
| 1920 | 3,426,861 | 44.13% |
| 1930 | 5,677,251 | 65.67% |
| 1940 | 6,907,387 | 21.67% |
| 1950 | 10,586,223 | 53.26% |
| 1960 | 15,717,204 | 48.47% |
| 1970 | 19,953,134 | 26.95% |
| 1980 | 23,667,902 | 18.62% |
| 1990 | 29,760,021 | 25.74% |
| 2000 | 33,871,648 | 13.82% |
| 2010 | 37,253,956 | 9.99% |
| 2020 | 39,538,223 | 6.13% |
Source: US Census 2020
California Demographics (Summary)
Religion in California (Overview)
Christianity remains the largest religious affiliation in California, followed by a significant unaffiliated population.
Christian: ~64%
Protestant: 32%
Roman Catholic: 28%
Unaffiliated: ~27%
Other Religions: ~8%
Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and others
Read detail data Religion in California
Race and Ethnicity in California (Overview)
California is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse states in the U.S.
Hispanic or Latino: 39.4% (largest group)
White (Non-Hispanic): 34.7%
Asian: 15.1%
Black or African American: 5.4%
Two or More Races: 4.1%
Ancestry in California (Overview)
California’s population reflects a wide mix of global ancestries. Some of the largest ancestry groups include:
German
Irish
English
Italian
American
French
Read Detail Data Race and Ethnicity in California
Cities and Counties in California
California has some of the largest urban centers in North America.
Largest City: Los Angeles
Major Cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose
Counties: 58 total
Largest County by Population: Los Angeles County
Largest County by Area: San Bernardino County
California has:
3 cities with 1M+ population
6 cities with 500,000+ population
read more about Cities and Counties in California
English
Español
Português
Deutsch