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California vs Florida population, 1990 to 2025

California leads Florida in 2025 population: 39,355,309 vs 23,462,518. Compare annual state data from 1990.

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What the data shows

  • California: 30M in 1990, 39.4M in 2025. It peaked at 39.5M in 2020.
  • Florida: 13M in 1990, 23.5M in 2025 (1.8× higher).

About this chart

California had the larger population in 2025: 39,355,309 versus 23,462,518 for Florida, a gap of 15,892,791. Over the full period from 1990, California grew by 31.4%, while Florida grew by 80.2%. California was ahead in 1990 and remained ahead at every annual observation in the displayed series. The comparison uses the same reference year for both states.

The Census series compares July 1 resident populations for California and Florida. In 1990, their counts were 29,950,111 and 13,018,365, respectively. Estimates from different Census vintages are joined across decades, and revisions can affect the measured trend. These state totals include residents throughout each state rather than only its cities. They describe the scale and direction of population change but do not, on their own, separate births, deaths and migration.

The data

Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. July 1 resident population estimates. Different Census vintages are joined across decades; revisions can affect comparisons.

California vs Florida population, Resident population, 1990 to 2025, 1990–2025
DateCaliforniaFlorida
199030M13M
199130.4M13.3M
199230.9M13.5M
199331.1M13.7M
199431.3M14M
199531.5M14.2M
199631.8M14.4M
199732.2M14.7M
199832.7M14.9M
199933.1M15.1M
200034M16M
200134.5M16.4M
200234.9M16.7M
200335.3M17M
200435.6M17.4M
200535.8M17.8M
200636M18.2M
200736.3M18.4M
200836.6M18.5M
200937M18.7M
201037.3M18.8M
201137.6M19.1M
201237.9M19.3M
201338.3M19.6M
201438.6M19.9M
201538.9M20.2M
201639.1M20.6M
201739.3M21M
201839.4M21.3M
201939.4M21.5M
202039.5M21.6M
202139.2M21.8M
202239.1M22.4M
202339.2M22.9M
202439.4M23.3M
202539.4M23.5M

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Frequently asked questions

Which has a larger population, California or Florida?

California had the larger population in 2025, at 39,355,309 compared with 23,462,518 for Florida. The gap was 15,892,791 residents.

How have California and Florida changed since 1990?

California moved from 29,950,111 to 39,355,309, a 31.4% increase. Florida moved from 13,018,365 to 23,462,518, a 80.2% increase.

What exactly is being compared?

Census July 1 resident population estimates for the two whole states. The series combines Census vintages and does not isolate the causes of population change.

Where does this data come from?

U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. July 1 resident population estimates. Different Census vintages are joined across decades; revisions can affect comparisons. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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