State
California
California. California had 39,355,309 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.5% since 2020, while the United States grew 3.1%. 1,618 places (482 incorporated and 1,136 census-designated) in 58 counties; 155,859 square miles of land.
Residents, 2025 estimate
39,355,309
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 39,538,223
Median household income
$99,122
±$310 (90% margin)
Median home value
$734,700
±$1,307 (90% margin)
Median gross rent
$2,036
±$5 (90% margin)
How many people live in California?
The 2020 Census counted 39,538,223 residents in California. The Census Bureau estimates 39,355,309 for July 1, 2025, down 0.5% since 2020, while the United States grew 3.1%. 95.5% of residents live in an incorporated place or a census-designated place; the rest live outside any place.
California is the most populous of the 50 states by the July 2025 estimates (every state ranked).
| Measure | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Total population | 39,287,377 | +3,880 |
| Households | 13,548,091±17,724 | +503,825 |
| Average household size | 2.84±0.01 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 14,644,735±1,665 | +468,759 |
California's population since 2000
From 33,871,648 in 2000 to 39,355,309 in 2025: up 16.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025; 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What are the largest cities in California?
Los Angeles is California's largest place with 3,869,089 residents in 2025, followed by San Diego (1,406,106 residents in 2025) and San Jose (989,814 residents in 2025).
| Place | Residents | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,869,089 | $81,939 |
| San Diego | 1,406,106 | $108,077 |
| San Jose | 989,814 | $146,427 |
| San Francisco | 826,079 | $140,970 |
| Fresno | 555,549 | $70,991 |
| Sacramento | 536,449 | $87,321 |
| Long Beach | 450,469 | $87,430 |
| Oakland | 440,838 | $101,600 |
| Bakersfield | 422,165 | $80,540 |
| Anaheim | 341,008 | $95,227 |
| Stockton | 324,597 | $79,907 |
| Riverside | 323,057 | $91,045 |
| Irvine | 318,764 | $136,719 |
| Santa Ana | 315,586 | $93,999 |
| Chula Vista | 275,533 | $108,032 |
| Santa Clarita | 228,430 | $123,062 |
| Fremont | 226,442 | $181,506 |
| San Bernardino | 222,044 | $67,415 |
| Fontana | 221,223 | $102,821 |
| Modesto | 219,652 | $79,891 |
| Moreno Valley | 214,263 | $93,222 |
| Oxnard | 199,651 | $96,212 |
| Huntington Beach | 191,451 | $120,919 |
| Glendale | 187,160 | $88,393 |
| Ontario | 187,013 | $88,941 |
Source: PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025); American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Census population estimates
What counties are in California?
California has 58 counties. Los Angeles County is the largest with 9,694,934 residents in 2025; Alpine County is the smallest with 1,043.
- Los Angeles County 9,694,934
- San Diego County 3,282,248
- Orange County 3,149,507
- Riverside County 2,544,916
- San Bernardino County 2,224,091
- Santa Clara County 1,914,391
- Alameda County 1,636,630
- Sacramento County 1,618,460
- Contra Costa County 1,170,070
- Fresno County 1,035,456
- Kern County 927,068
- Ventura County 830,851
Source: PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025), U.S. Census Bureau · Census population estimates
Who lives in California?
The median resident of California is 37.9 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 15.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 40.2%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 33.8%. 27.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9±0.1 | +1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 22.0%±0.1 pts | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.7%±0.1 pts | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 40.2% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 33.8%±0.1 pts | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.2%±0.1 pts | −0.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 15.3%±0.1 pts | +1.0 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.4%±0.1 pts | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.1 pts | – |
| Born outside the United States | 27.0%±0.1 pts | +0.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 44.4%±0.1 pts | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.3%±0.1 pts | – |
| With a disability | 11.6%±0.1 pts | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.6%±0.1 pts | −0.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.7%±0.1 pts | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 37.1%±0.2 pts | +3.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.4%±0.1 pts | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.1 pts | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in California earn?
Half of California's 13,548,091 households earn less than $99,122 a year (±$310). In 2015-2019 the median was $92,591 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,531 after inflation. 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $99,122±$310 | +$6,531 |
| Mean household income | $140,436±$436 | – |
| Per capita income | $49,513±$168 | +$4,033 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.0%±0.1 pts | −1.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.0%±0.2 pts | −3.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.4%±0.1 pts | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.5%±0.1 pts | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in California?
Owners occupy 55.9% of California's occupied homes and renters 44.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $734,700 by its owner (±$1,307). The median renter pays $2,036 a month including utilities, and 46.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $734,700±$1,307 | +$113,200 |
| Median gross rent | $2,036±$5 | +$186 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.0%±0.2 pts | +0.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,946±$5 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 55.9%±0.2 pts | +1.1 pts |
| Housing units | 14,644,735±1,665 | +468,759 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.1 pts | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.2%±0.1 pts | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 57.0%±0.1 pts | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.5%±0.1 pts | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±0.1 pts | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.9%±0.1 pts | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is California building?
Builders took permits for 103,856 new housing units in California in 2025 (57,739 single-family), 2.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files summed by state, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in California get to work?
65.7% of California's workers drive alone and 17.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.6%.
| Measure | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.8%±0.1 pts | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6%±0.1 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 65.7%±0.1 pts | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5%±0.1 pts | – |
| Public transportation | 2.9%±0.1 pts | – |
| Walked | 2.4%±0.1 pts | – |
| Worked from home | 17.2%±0.1 pts | +11.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.7 min±0.1 | −1.1 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections