California’s population increased by 67,000 people last year to 39,128,162, according to new data released by the California Department of Finance. Attributed to an increase in legal foreign immigration and natural population increasing. this is the first year since 2020 that the state has seen a net increase.
Net domestic migration has receded to its lower rates of the 2010s, which the Department of Finance estimates California is likely to experience continued positive population growth. The overall population increased in 31 counties, largely in the Bay Area, Central Valley and the Inland Empire. Los Angeles County and Orange County grew by 0.05 and 0.31 percent in population, respectively.
“People from across the nation and the globe are coming to the Golden State to pursue the California Dream and experience the success of the world’s 5th largest economy,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “From the Inland Empire to the Bay Area, regions throughout California are growing—strengthening local communities and boosting our state’s future.”
The top five cities where housing production drove population growth include: Paradise (16.1 percent), Lathrop (5.4 percent), Emeryville (5 percent), Orland (4.9 percent) and Shafter (4.3 percent).