The Bright Side of California's Growth Slowdown

According to a just-released report from USC, CA's population, currently 37.5 million, will reach 50 million in the year 2046, a full 14 years later than the 2007 Dept. of Finance projection, due to the major growth slowdown shown in 2010 Census.

1 minute read

April 27, 2012, 8:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


California's growth slowdown has previously been reported by Planetizen, but this is the first projection based on the 2010 Census data. Co-author Dowell Myers, a professor of urban planning and demography with the University of Southern California's Sol Price School of Public Policy, provides a positive interpretation of the new figures.

"This is surely good news for local governments and taxpayers who are struggling to keep up with the costs of growth," Myers said. "These projections suggest there is more time to plan a much better future for California."

"The report, published by the Population Dynamics Research Group at University of Southern California, contains California's first population projection that includes results from the 2010 census. John Pitkin, a senior research associate in the Research Group is lead author of the report."

Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters also reports on the new USC population report in the blog, Capitol Alert: "USC demographers see much slower California population growth": "The state Department of Finance currently projects that California will add roughly 5 million persons each decade to its population through 2050, but those numbers are five years old and the department is now upgrading its calculations in response to the 2010 census."

Thanks to Patricia Matachek

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 in Science Daily

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

November 11, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6, 2026 - Grist

People walking and cycling on a street in Boston.

Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking

New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.

November 8, 2026 - Smart Cities Dive

People watch as carbon dioxide is vented during a safety demonstration outside Nome City Hall in Jefferson Co.

As Texas embraces carbon storage, a Black community questions the risks

Texas now issues permits for companies to store carbon dioxide underground. East Texas residents fear safety risks, and skeptics doubt the climate benefits.

8 seconds ago - Texas Tribune

Two horses in the plains of Colorado. One is white, one is copper.

New BLM proposal would slash public comment periods, environmental protections

The proposed rewrite would also strip legal leverage from Tribal nations and state governments.

1 hour ago - The Trek

Mamdani speaks behind a podium in a navy suit.

DSA members accuse Mamdani of 'abandoning values' over housing redevelopment

New York City's mayor plans to replace about 2,000 units of public housing with private, mixed-income housing.

November 12 - Gothamist

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.