California’s population has grown for the second year in a row, growing into the state’s largest city, according to new data from the California Treasury released Thursday.
The latest figures for the 2024 calendar year confirm the end of the so-called Exodus book of California, where Golden State’s population has been shrinking for the first time in decades.
Seven of the state’s 10 big cities recorded population growth as they bounced back from the pandemic-era shrinking that was hit hardest in most of the state’s urban areas.
By the end of 2024, the state’s population had almost overturned its pre-pandemic peak, but the previous high water mark from April 2020 was still around 9,000.
From April 2020 to January 2022, the state lost roughly 360,000 residents, according to data from the California Department of Treasury. California added about 200,000 in 2023, then added about 108,000 in 2024. If growth continues, the state excludes pre-pandemic population in 2025.
“People from all over the country and around the world will come to Golden State to pursue California’s dreams, where rights are protected and people are respected,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “As the fourth largest economy in the world, from the Inland Empire to the Bay Area, regions across California are growing, strengthening communities and supporting the state’s future.”
“We will continue to cut tapes, invest in people, and ensure we build on this momentum, seeking real results from the government. All of this is at stake by extreme and uncertain tariffs,” Newsmom said.
The biggest winners of the population were Bakersfield, which grew 1.2% in 2024, and San Diego, which grew 1%. Los Angeles grew by 0.4%.
In the Bay Area, San Jose and San Francisco had a slightly contracted population. Anaheim was one of the three major cities in the state that lost people in 2023.
The natural increase, or the difference between birth and death, was responsible for the profits of 114,805 people in 2024, but the state’s population has increased to just 108,000 people overall. This difference is explained by a net transition from California of around 7,000 people.
Over the past few years, California has documented more people than people leaving in other states like Texas and Arizona can get from internal migration. Today, international migrants, who are primarily from Asia, are strengthening the state’s population against losses from those leaving to other states.
The state continued to grow slowly on the housing front. In 2024, housing increased by 0.84%. This was a similar figure to 2023, lagging behind many other states. One of five new homes built in 2024 in California was an Accessory Residence Unit, or Adus.
ADU production has grown by more than 10% over the past two years, and with each passing year, Adus is the majority of new homes built in the state.
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