California’s population grew for the second year in a row, with the state’s largest cities leading the way, according to new data from the California Department of Finance released on Thursday. The Golden State added over 100,000 residents in 2024, bringing the total population to approximately 39.5 million as of January 1, 2025.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the population increase marks a significant rebound from the so-called California exodus, which saw the state’s population decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. The growth was primarily driven by natural increase—births outpacing deaths—and a rise in legal immigration. The state saw a net increase of 114,805 people from natural growth and 277,468 from immigration between 2021 and 2024.
The population growth was particularly notable in California’s largest counties, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside, which together account for a significant portion of the state’s population. Los Angeles County alone saw an increase of 28,000 people. According to the official state website, nine out of the ten largest counties experienced positive growth, with only Contra Costa County seeing a slight decline.
Bakersfield, a city in the Central Valley, experienced a population growth of 1.2% in 2024, reflecting the broader trend of growth in the state’s inland areas. The Daily Gazette reported that this growth signifies the end of the population decline that had worried state officials and residents alike.
The state’s economic strength, highlighted by its position as the fourth-largest economy in the world, continues to attract new residents. As California moves forward, maintaining this growth while addressing challenges such as housing and infrastructure will be crucial.
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