Rank #1 by Population · Updated April 2026
California Population 2026
The population of California is 39,242,785 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 1st-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $96,334, the median home value is $695,400, and the median age is 37.6.
California's population has grown 1558.5% since 1910 (2,377,549 → 39,431,263).
39,242,785
Population
252
People / sq mi
$96,334
Median Income
37.6
Median Age
California covers 155,859 sq mi of land at a density of 251.8 people per square mile.
About California
In California, home values do the distinguishing — a median of $695,400. California is a US state with a population of 39,242,785. It is the #1-largest of all US states nationally.
Earnings sit at the high end: a median household income of $96,334, above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 8.4%, below the national 12.4%. Home prices are steep, with the typical property valued at $695,400, with typical rent around $1,956.
About 36.5% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, near the 35.0% national figure. Remote work is on the higher side at 15.5%, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 29 minutes each way.
High housing values reframe the income picture in California — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
California, #1 by population
California Population History (1910-2024)
The state of California had a population of 2,377,549 in 1910 and 39,431,263 in 2024, a 17× growth over 114 years. The peak was 39,538,223 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 1.89%.
39,431,263
Population (2024)
2,377,549
Population (1910)
39,538,223
Peak (2020)
1.89%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 2,377,549 |
| 1920 | 3,426,861 |
| 1930 | 5,677,251 |
| 1940 | 6,907,387 |
| 1950 | 10,586,223 |
| 1960 | 15,717,204 |
| 1970 | 19,953,134 |
| 1980 | 23,667,902 |
| 1990 | 29,760,021 |
| 2000 | 33,871,648 |
| 2010 | 37,253,956 |
| 2020 | 39,538,223 |
| 2020 | 39,521,958 |
| 2021 | 39,142,565 |
| 2022 | 39,142,414 |
| 2023 | 39,198,693 |
| 2024 | 39,431,263 |
Age Distribution
Male: 50.0% · Female: 50.0%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 44.0% |
| Black or African American | 5.5% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 1.1% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 1.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.8% |
Economy & Income
$96,334
Median Household Income
$47,977
Per Capita Income
8.4%
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Unemployment Rate
$136,730
Mean Household Income
59.3%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
California's overall price level is 110.7 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 10.7% higher the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, California's median household income of $96,334 has the buying power of $87,007 in average-priced areas.
110.7
Price Level (US = 100)
$87,007
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$96,334
Nominal Median Income
Education
84.6%
High School Graduate+
36.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
419,104
Live Births (2022)
10.7
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
0.0%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 74.8% |
| Black or African American | 5.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 48.5% |
Housing
$695,400
Median Home Value
$1,956
Median Rent
14,532,683
Total Housing Units
55.8%
Owner-Occupied
44.2%
Renter-Occupied
7.6%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
55.9% of California residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in California:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 4,043,207 | 10.92% |
| 2 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 666,215 | 1.80% |
| 3 | Vietnamese | 332,237 | 0.90% |
| 4 | Tagalog (incl. Filipino) | 250,931 | 0.68% |
| 5 | Korean | 192,856 | 0.52% |
| 6 | Persian (incl. Farsi, Dari) | 88,346 | 0.24% |
| 7 | Polish | 74,560 | 0.20% |
| 8 | Arabic | 72,466 | 0.20% |
| 9 | Japanese | 55,501 | 0.15% |
| 10 | Thai, Lao, or other Tai-Kadai | 41,525 | 0.11% |
Commute
3.2%
Drive Alone
2.4%
Carpool
15.5%
Work From Home
29.0 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in California
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | 3,857,897 |
| 2 | San Diego | 1,385,061 |
| 3 | San Jose | 990,054 |
| 4 | San Francisco | 836,321 |
| 5 | Fresno | 543,615 |
| 6 | Sacramento | 524,802 |
| 7 | Long Beach | 458,491 |
| 8 | Oakland | 438,072 |
| 9 | Bakersfield | 408,366 |
| 10 | Anaheim | 344,553 |
| 11 | Stockton | 320,470 |
| 12 | Riverside | 316,241 |
| 13 | Santa Ana | 311,639 |
| 14 | Irvine | 308,160 |
| 15 | Chula Vista | 275,030 |
| 16 | Santa Clarita | 229,021 |
| 17 | Fremont | 228,518 |
| 18 | San Bernardino | 221,774 |
| 19 | Modesto | 218,614 |
| 20 | Fontana | 211,921 |
Counties in California
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles County | 9,848,406 | $87,760 |
| 2 | San Diego County | 3,282,782 | $102,285 |
| 3 | Orange County | 3,164,063 | $113,702 |
| 4 | Riverside County | 2,449,909 | $89,672 |
| 5 | San Bernardino County | 2,187,816 | $82,184 |
| 6 | Santa Clara County | 1,903,297 | $159,674 |
| 7 | Alameda County | 1,651,949 | $126,240 |
| 8 | Sacramento County | 1,584,047 | $88,724 |
| 9 | Contra Costa County | 1,161,458 | $125,727 |
| 10 | Fresno County | 1,012,152 | $71,434 |
| 11 | Kern County | 910,433 | $67,660 |
| 12 | Ventura County | 838,259 | $107,327 |
| 13 | San Francisco County | 836,321 | $141,446 |
| 14 | San Joaquin County | 787,416 | $88,531 |
| 15 | San Mateo County | 745,100 | $156,000 |
| 16 | Stanislaus County | 552,250 | $79,661 |
| 17 | Sonoma County | 485,642 | $102,840 |
| 18 | Tulare County | 475,774 | $69,489 |
| 19 | Solano County | 450,824 | $99,994 |
| 20 | Santa Barbara County | 443,975 | $95,977 |
Compare California
Rankings for California
Read more about California
A complete guide to California demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
California Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in California
Congressional districts in California
Largest school districts in California
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about California
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Frequently Asked Questions
California has a population of 39,242,785 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 1st-most populous state in the United States.
California is gaining population, with a +1558.5% change over the available historical Census record. California's population has grown 1558.5% since 1910 (2,377,549 → 39,431,263).
The median household income in California is $96,334, with a per capita income of $47,977. 8.4% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
44.0% of California's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 5.5% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 2.8% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
California is 44.0% White, 5.5% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 2.8% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in California is 37.6 years. The population is 50.0% male and 50.0% female.
California's population has grown 1558.5% since 1910 (2,377,549 → 39,431,263).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. California's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.