Just the FACTS

California's Population

During the 20th century, California experienced tremendous population growth …

California is the most populous state in the nation.

California's population is one of the world's most diverse.

… but growth has slowed in recent decades.

More than 10 million Californians are immigrants.

According to 2015 estimates, 27% of Californians (10.7 million) are foreign born—a higher proportion than in any other state (New York is second with 23%) and twice the nationwide share (13%). The leading countries of origin for California immigrants are Mexico (4.3 million), the Philippines (864,000), China (728,000 excluding Taiwan; 910,000 including Taiwan), Vietnam (511,000), India (477,000), El Salvador (428,000), and Korea (328,000). In recent years, almost twice as many immigrants have been arriving from Asia as from Latin America.

California is aging but is young compared to the rest of the country.

California's population is slightly younger than that of the rest of the nation: according to 2015 Census Bureau estimates, the median age in California is 36.2, compared to 37.8 for the entire country. California has the seventh-youngest population in the country (Utah has the youngest). However, California's population is aging along with the baby boom: by 2030, about one in five Californians will be age 65 or older.