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Most populous US states, 1990 to 2025

California still leads with 39.36 million in 2025, but Texas (31.71 million) and Florida (23.46 million) have closed in since 1990.

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What the data shows

  • In 2025, California ranks #1 with 39.36M, ahead of Texas (31.71M) and Florida (23.46M).
  • California holds #1 for the whole period, 1990 to 2025.
  • Biggest climber: Georgia, from #11 in 1990 to #8 in 2025.

About this chart

California has been the most populous state in every year since 1990, growing from 29.95 million to 39.36 million in 2025. The real change is behind it. Texas rose from 17.04 million, third in 1990, to 31.71 million and second place. Florida grew from 13.02 million to 23.46 million, and now sits third, ahead of New York at 20.0 million.

The rest of the 2025 top ten is Pennsylvania (13.06 million), Illinois (12.72 million), Ohio (11.90 million), Georgia (11.30 million), North Carolina (11.20 million) and Michigan (10.13 million). Georgia and North Carolina have moved up past Michigan since 1990. The figures are Census Bureau resident estimates for July 1 of each year, and the chart covers every state.

The data

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

Most populous US states, Residents in millions, 1990 to 2025, 1990–2025
DateCaliforniaTexasFloridaNew YorkPennsylvaniaIllinoisOhioGeorgiaNorth CarolinaMichiganNew Jersey
199029.95M17.04M13.02M18.00M11.90M11.45M10.86M6.51M6.66M9.31M7.76M
199130.41M17.34M13.29M18.03M11.94M11.54M10.93M6.62M6.75M9.40M7.78M
199230.88M17.65M13.50M18.08M11.98M11.64M11.01M6.76M6.83M9.47M7.83M
199331.15M18.00M13.71M18.14M12.02M11.73M11.07M6.89M6.95M9.53M7.87M
199431.32M18.34M13.96M18.16M12.04M11.80M11.11M7.05M7.06M9.58M7.92M
199531.49M18.68M14.19M18.15M12.04M11.88M11.16M7.19M7.19M9.66M7.97M
199631.78M19.01M14.43M18.14M12.04M11.95M11.19M7.33M7.31M9.74M8.01M
199732.22M19.36M14.68M18.14M12.02M12.01M11.21M7.49M7.43M9.79M8.05M
199832.68M19.71M14.91M18.16M12.00M12.07M11.24M7.64M7.55M9.82M8.10M
199933.15M20.04M15.11M18.20M11.99M12.13M11.26M7.79M7.65M9.86M8.14M
200033.99M20.94M16.05M19.00M12.28M12.43M11.36M8.23M8.08M9.95M8.43M
200134.48M21.32M16.36M19.08M12.30M12.49M11.39M8.38M8.21M9.99M8.49M
200234.87M21.69M16.69M19.14M12.33M12.53M11.41M8.51M8.33M10.02M8.55M
200335.25M22.03M17.00M19.18M12.37M12.56M11.43M8.62M8.42M10.04M8.60M
200435.57M22.39M17.42M19.17M12.41M12.59M11.45M8.77M8.55M10.06M8.63M
200535.83M22.78M17.84M19.13M12.45M12.61M11.46M8.93M8.71M10.05M8.65M
200636.02M23.36M18.17M19.10M12.51M12.64M11.48M9.16M8.92M10.04M8.66M
200736.25M23.83M18.37M19.13M12.56M12.70M11.50M9.35M9.12M10.00M8.68M
200836.60M24.31M18.53M19.21M12.61M12.75M11.52M9.50M9.31M9.95M8.71M
200936.96M24.80M18.65M19.31M12.67M12.80M11.53M9.62M9.45M9.90M8.76M
201037.32M25.24M18.85M19.40M12.71M12.84M11.54M9.71M9.57M9.88M8.80M
201137.64M25.65M19.06M19.50M12.75M12.87M11.55M9.80M9.66M9.88M8.83M
201237.94M26.08M19.30M19.57M12.77M12.88M11.55M9.90M9.75M9.90M8.85M
201338.25M26.48M19.55M19.63M12.78M12.90M11.58M9.98M9.85M9.91M8.86M
201438.59M26.96M19.85M19.65M12.79M12.89M11.61M10.07M9.94M9.93M8.87M
201538.90M27.47M20.22M19.66M12.79M12.86M11.62M10.18M10.04M9.93M8.87M
201639.15M27.91M20.63M19.64M12.79M12.82M11.64M10.31M10.16M9.95M8.87M
201739.34M28.29M20.98M19.59M12.79M12.78M11.67M10.42M10.28M9.98M8.89M
201839.44M28.62M21.25M19.54M12.81M12.72M11.68M10.52M10.39M9.99M8.89M
201939.44M28.99M21.49M19.46M12.80M12.67M11.70M10.63M10.50M9.98M8.89M
202039.53M29.24M21.59M20.12M13.00M12.80M11.80M10.73M10.45M10.07M9.27M
202139.15M29.57M21.84M19.84M13.02M12.70M11.76M10.79M10.57M10.04M9.27M
202239.13M30.12M22.41M19.71M12.98M12.61M11.76M10.93M10.71M10.04M9.30M
202339.18M30.72M22.93M19.79M13.01M12.63M11.81M11.06M10.87M10.06M9.40M
202439.36M31.32M23.27M20.00M13.05M12.70M11.86M11.20M11.05M10.10M9.51M
202539.36M31.71M23.46M20.00M13.06M12.72M11.90M11.30M11.20M10.13M9.55M

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most populous state?

In 2025, California ranks #1 with 39.36M, followed by Texas (31.71M) and Florida (23.46M). Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), millions.

Which state has the largest population?

California, with about 39.36 million residents in July 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates. Texas is second at 31.71 million and Florida third at 23.46 million.

Which states have the biggest populations after California?

Texas (31.71 million), Florida (23.46 million), New York (20.0 million) and Pennsylvania (13.06 million) round out the top five in 2025.

How has the ranking of states by population changed since 1990?

In 1990 the top five were California, New York, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania. In 2025 Texas is second and Florida third, and New York has fallen to fourth.

Where does this data come from?

U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), 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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