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California population by year, 1990 to 2025

California peaked at 39.53 million in 2020, dipped, and sits at 39.36 million in 2025, still the most populous state by 7.6 million.

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What the data shows

  • California: 29.95M in 1990, 39.36M in 2025. It peaked at 39.53M in 2020.

About this chart

California added more than 9.4 million residents between 1990 and 2025, rising from 29,950,111 to 39,355,309, and it has been the largest state in every year of this series. Its record was set in 2020 at 39,527,808. The estimate fell in 2021 to about 39.15 million, and by 2025 it was still about 172,000 below that peak.

Growth has slowed sharply. California is up 15.8 percent since 2000 but only 5.5 percent since 2010, while Texas and Florida have grown much faster. California ranked 1st in 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2025. Figures are Census Bureau resident estimates for July 1 of each year.

The data

Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), resident population of California, millions. Retrieved November 4, 2026.

Population of California, Residents, 1990 to 2025, 1990–2025
DateCalifornia
199029.95M
199130.41M
199230.88M
199331.15M
199431.32M
199531.49M
199631.78M
199732.22M
199832.68M
199933.15M
200033.99M
200134.48M
200234.87M
200335.25M
200435.58M
200535.83M
200636.02M
200736.25M
200836.60M
200936.96M
201037.32M
201137.64M
201237.95M
201338.25M
201438.59M
201538.90M
201639.15M
201739.34M
201839.44M
201939.44M
202039.53M
202139.15M
202239.13M
202339.18M
202439.37M
202539.36M

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Frequently asked questions

What is the population of California?

California had about 39.36 million residents (39,355,309) in July 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates. It is the most populous state, ahead of Texas at 31.71 million.

Is California's population shrinking?

Slightly. California peaked at about 39.53 million in 2020, and the 2025 estimate of 39.36 million is about 172,000 lower. Over the longer run it is still up 31 percent since 1990.

When did California's population peak?

California's population peaked in 2020 at 39,527,808. It dropped in 2021 and has recovered only part of the way since.

Where does this data come from?

U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), resident population of California, millions. Retrieved November 4, 2026. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

Can I turn this chart into a video?

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