Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates and 2024 Gazetteer. Rankings among the 50 states.
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
1850–2024U.S. Census (decennial), 1850–2020 + estimates.
Population pyramid
California's civilian population by sex and five-year age group. Choose a year to see how the age structure has changed.
Tap an age group in the pyramid to see its detail.
Under 15
6,847,989 (17.4%)
15 to 64
25,927,814 (66.0%)
65 and older
6,521,873 (16.6%)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, SC-EST2020 and SC-EST2024 age and sex estimates (civilian population, July 1).
Population time machine
Travel year by year from 2000 to 2024 and see how California's 58 counties have grown, on a flat map or in 3D. Tap a county to follow it.
Age, sex and longevity
The main indicators describing California's age structure, sex distribution and life expectancy.
| Median age | 37.6 years | |
| Female | 50.3% | |
| Male | 49.7% | |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | |
| 65 and older | 15.2% | |
| Life expectancy | 80.9 years | Above U.S. avg. |
Population, households and density
How many people and households live in California, how concentrated they are and how the population is changing.
| Total population | 38,965,193 | 1st in the U.S. |
| Density | 97 /km² | |
| Households | 13,550,586 | |
| Urban population | 94.2% | |
| Largest metro | Los Angeles (13 M) | |
| Growth | -0.2% | 2020–2023 |
Race, ethnicity and origin
California is a majority-minority state with no single racial or ethnic group forming a majority. Hispanic or Latino residents are the largest group.
| Hispanic or Latino | 40.3% | ≈ 15.7 M |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 33.6% | |
| Asian | 16.3% | 1st in the U.S. |
| Black or African American | 5.4% | |
| Two or more races | 4.1% | |
| Native American | 0.4% | |
| Pacific Islander | 0.4% | |
| Mexican origin | ≈ 31% | Largest origin group |
| Chinese origin | ≈ 3.5% | |
| Filipino origin | ≈ 3.2% |