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California Population 2024

California is a state in the Western United States and borders Oregon to the north, Nevada, and Arizona to the east, and the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. California is the most populous state in the United States and Its third-largest U.S. state by area. Area and Population Density. 

With an average of 254 people for every square mile, California is the 11th most densely populated state in the US. As per the  United States Census Bureau, the California population in 2020 was 39,538,223 (39.5 million) 

Estimated population of California in 2024 is 38,965,193 or  39 million.

Decadal Growth (2010-2020)

California has a population growth rate of 6.1% during 2010-2020. It has population increase of  2,284,267 (2.28 million) since 2010. 

CaliforniaCensus 2020
Total Population39,538,223
Percentage Change6.10%
Population Rank1st
Total Land Area155,959 sq mi (403,932 km2)
Area Rank3rd
Population Density253.6/sq mi (97.9/km2)

California Historical Population

California has a population growth rate of 6.13% during 2010-2020. In the Year 1910, the population of California was 2.3 million and in 2022 it reached 40 million, an increase of almost 37.7 million.
Let’s look at decade population and  percentage change from the Year 1910 to 2020

YearPopulationPercentage Change
19102,377,549
19203,426,86144.13%
19305,677,25165.67%
19406,907,38721.67%
195010,586,22353.26%
196015,717,20448.47%
197019,953,13426.95%
198023,667,90218.62%
199029,760,02125.74%
200033,871,64813.82%
201037,253,9569.99%
202039,538,2236.13%

Source: US Census  2020

California Demography

Religion and Affiliations 

Christianity is the majority religion in California followed by 64% of the population.  Next comes the Unaffiliated population, 27% of the population doesn’t follow or adhere to any faith or religion.  The largest Christian denomination in California is Protestant (32%) followed by Roman Catholics (28%), Mormonism (1%), Eastern Orthodoxy (1%), Jehovah’s Witnesses (1%), and Other Christian (1%).

Other non-Christian-based religions and faiths are followed by 8% of the population and include Hinduism (2%), Buddhism(2%), Jews (2%), Islam (1%), and other smaller faiths.

For more details read Religion in California

Race and Ethnicity in California

In 2020, the Hispanic or Latino population became the largest racial or ethnic group in California, comprising 39.4% of the total population, up from 37.6% in 2010. This differs from 2010 when the largest racial or ethnic group in California was the White alone non-Hispanic population, whose share declined from 40.1% in 2010 to 34.69% in 2020. The Asian population was the third-largest group at 15.12%. Black or African American was the fourth largest group at 5.36%. Two or more races are at 4.12%

Ancestry in California

As per Census Studies and estimates German, Irish, and English Americans have made the three largest ancestry groups in Texas. Italian, American & French ancestry also shows good numbers.

For more Details read Race and Ethnicity in California

Cities and Counties in California

Los Angeles is the largest city in California and also the second-largest city in the United States.  It has 3 of the largest 10 cities (Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose), and the largest county (Los Angeles County) in the United States. It has three cities with a 1 million + population and six cities with more than half-million population.

As of 2022, California is divided into 58 counties. San Bernardino County is the largest county in the contiguous United States, as well as Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the United States.

read more about Cities and Counties in California

California Population 2024 | California Demographics