A city that grew twelvefold in 30 years
Between the 1900 and 1930 censuses, the city’s population rose from 102,479 to 1,238,048. These figures describe the changing city limits at each census, not constant boundaries.
Los Angeles is California’s largest incorporated city and the county seat of Los Angeles County. Its municipal population reached 3,898,747 in the 2020 Census. This page reports figures for the city itself, not the larger county or metropolitan area. Its long-run census record shows growth from 1,610 residents in 1850 to nearly four million in 2020.
Key indicators
Population
3,869,089
July 2025 estimate · Census Bureau
2020 Census population
3,898,747
April 2020 · Census Bureau
Households
1,439,097
ACS 2020–2024
Land area
469.5 mi²
2020 citywide profile · LA City Planning
Population density
8,304 /mi²
2020 Census population ÷ 469.5 mi²
Median household income
$81,939
ACS 2020–2024 · 2024 dollars
Foreign-born residents
35.7%
ACS 2020–2024
Hispanic or Latino residents
47.2%
ACS 2020–2024
Median gross rent
$1,933 /month
ACS 2020–2024
Median owner-occupied home value
$921,200
ACS 2020–2024 · Census Bureau
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population · decennial census
1850–20203,898,747▲ 242058%
U.S. Census Bureau decennial censuses, compiled by Los Angeles Almanac; 2010 and 2020 confirmed against Census QuickFacts. City boundaries changed over time.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 3,869,089 | 2025 · Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 |
| Population, 2020 Census | 3,898,747 | 2020 · Decennial Census |
| Households | 1,439,097 | 2020–2024 · ACS 5-year |
| Land area | 469.5 mi² | 2020 · LA City Planning |
| Median household income | $81,939 | 2020–2024 · ACS 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 35.7% | 2020–2024 · ACS 5-year |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 47.2% | Census Bureau QuickFacts |
| Median gross rent | $1,933 / month | 2020–2024 · ACS 5-year |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $921,200 | 2020–2024 · ACS 5-year |
Los Angeles in context
Comparable indicators for the city, California and the United States.
| Indicator | City | California | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population, 2020 Census | 3,898,747 | 39,538,223 | 331,449,281 | 2020 · Census Bureau |
| Population estimate | 3,869,089 | 39,355,309 | 341,784,857 | 2025 · Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 |
Did you know? Los Angeles
Two separate Los Angeleses
Los Angeles is both an incorporated city and the seat of Los Angeles County. Their population totals cannot be used interchangeably: the county includes 88 incorporated cities.
Slightly fewer residents since 2020
The Census Bureau estimates 3,869,089 residents in July 2025, 0.8% below its April 2020 estimates base of 3,899,342.
A population record spanning 170 years
The decennial census recorded 1,610 city residents in 1850 and 3,898,747 in 2020. Annexations and boundary changes contributed to the growth over that period.