Governor Gavin Newsome | Twitter Website
The California Department of Finance has reported that California's population increased by 108,000 people in 2024, reaching a total of 39,529,000 as of January 1, 2025. Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the state’s appeal by stating: “People from across the nation and the globe are coming to the Golden State to pursue the California Dream, where rights are protected and people are respected.”
Two years of consistent population growth have been recorded, marking a steady comeback after previous population decline. Revised figures show a more significant upwards trend than initially estimated, with a notable increase in the state's population in 2023 and 2024. Key drivers for this growth include higher school enrollments, an increase in the population aged 65 and older, and natural population growth due to births outpacing deaths.
Immigration has also played a significant role, with recent data showing 277,468 more immigrants arriving in California between 2021 and 2024 compared to previous estimates. The Department of Finance notes this data pertains only to legal immigration.
The report offers insights into population shifts across California's counties. Thirty-five counties witnessed growth, with the Central Valley, Inland Empire, and coastal counties experiencing the most significant increases. Los Angeles County, the largest of the 58 counties, led the growth with an increase of 28,000 residents. In total, the ten largest counties, each housing over one million residents, represent 72 percent of the state's population.
Recent adjustments by the U.S. Census Bureau also reflect positive growth. The bureau noted an increase of over 225,000 residents from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and revisions in population trends from previous years.
The notion of ongoing population decline in California is refuted by this new data. According to the Census Bureau, California faced a temporary population decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic, but continues to grow as an economic force. Recognized as the fourth largest economy globally, California leads in tourism spending, business starts, and access to venture capital, agriculture, and technology sectors.
Governor Newsom emphasized the necessity of continuous investment in people and infrastructure to maintain and build on this momentum, stating: "We’ll continue to cut tape, invest in people, and seek real results from government to ensure we build on this momentum."
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