38.9 M
Total population
1st in the U.S.
97 /km²
Density
13.6 M
Households
94.2%
Urban population
Los Angeles (13 M)
Largest metro
-0.2%
Growth
2020–2023
Historical data
Long-run evolution of the key indicators, so you can see the trend — not just today's snapshot.
Population
1850–202438.9 M▲ 43122%
U.S. Census (decennial), 1850–2020 + estimates.
Data table
| Total population | 38.9 M | 1st in the U.S. |
| Density | 97 /km² | |
| Households | 13.6 M | |
| Urban population | 94.2% | |
| Largest metro | Los Angeles (13 M) | |
| Growth | -0.2% | 2020–2023 |
Compared to the United States
| Indicator | California | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Total population2023, U.S. Census | 38,965,000 | 334,915,000 (national total) |
National ranking
California ranks #1 of 50 states by total population.
| #1 | California | 38,965,000 |
| #2 | Maryland | 6,180,253 |
| #3 | Colorado | 5,880,000 |
| #4 | Minnesota | 5,740,000 |
| #5 | South Carolina | 5,479,000 |
| #6 | Alabama | 5,157,699 |
| #7 | Kentucky | 4,610,000 |
| #8 | Louisiana | 4,570,000 |
| #9 | Oregon | 4,240,000 |
| #10 | Oklahoma | 4,050,000 |
| #11 | Connecticut | 3,675,069 |
| #12 | Utah | 3,500,000 |
| #13 | Nevada | 3,267,467 |
| #14 | Iowa | 3,241,488 |
| #15 | Arkansas | 3,088,354 |
| #16 | Mississippi | 2,943,045 |
| #17 | Kansas | 2,940,546 |
| #18 | New Mexico | 2,130,000 |
| #19 | Nebraska | 2,005,465 |
| #20 | Idaho | 2,001,619 |
| #21 | West Virginia | 1,769,979 |
| #22 | Hawaii | 1,435,138 |
| #23 | New Hampshire | 1,409,032 |
| #24 | Maine | 1,405,012 |
| #25 | Montana | 1,132,812 |
| #26 | Rhode Island | 1,095,962 |
| #27 | Wyoming | 50 |
| #28 | Vermont | 49 |
| #29 | Alaska | 48 |
| #30 | North Dakota | 47 |
| #31 | South Dakota | 46 |
| #32 | Texas | 30.5M |
| #33 | Florida | 22.6M |
| #34 | New York | 19.87M |
| #35 | Pennsylvania | 13.08M |
| #36 | Illinois | 12.71M |
| #37 | Ohio | 11.88M |
| #38 | Georgia | 11.18M |
| #39 | North Carolina | 10.98M |
| #40 | Michigan | 10.14M |
| #41 | New Jersey | 9.5M |
| #42 | Virginia | 8.81M |
| #43 | Washington | 7.96M |
| #44 | Arizona | 7.58M |
| #45 | Tennessee | 7.23M |
| #46 | Massachusetts | 7.03M |
| #47 | Indiana | 6.92M |
| #48 | Missouri | 6.2M |
| #49 | Wisconsin | 5.96M |
| #50 | Delaware | 1.05 |
Overview
Total population in California stands at about 38.9 million residents, making it the most populous state in the United States. The chart shows the long-run growth from 1850 to today.
Did you know?
- California would be the 36th most populous country in the world if it were independent.