38.2 Million Californians: Fastest Growth in a Decade

After years of lower-than-normal population growth, more foreign immigrants are coming to California. The new residents contributed to a 332,000 increase in the state's population, the largest in nearly a decade, says the Calif. Dept. of Finance.

2 minute read

December 16, 2013, 9:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


"The estimated population rose 0.88%, exceeding 38.2 million as of July. Most of that growth was 'natural increase' — births minus deaths. But those numbers stayed roughly the same as in recent years, while immigration has increased," writes Emily Alpert Reyes.

The California Department of Finance considered the growth "slow", but called it "the fastest that California has seen since 2003-04, well before the recession," Reyes adds. What's made the difference is the 170,000 net immigrants to the state between July 2012 and July 2013

To be sure, one thing hasn't changed: more Californians are leaving the state than migrating here from other states - 103,000 in all.

The one region where more migrants moved in than out is the high-priced Bay Area, reports the Mercury News' Julia Prodis Sulek in the Contra Costa Times, calling it "another sign of the tech industry's rebound and the creation of more jobs here." However, that population gain didn't hold throughout the greater region.

Domestic migration within the Bay Area has bounced for the last few years and is now in positive territory, with some 4,800 more people moving in than moving out. While Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa and Santa Cruz counties enjoyed gains during the 12-month period, the two main employments hubs of the Bay Area -- Santa Clara and San Francisco counties -- saw 3,522 and 1,824 residents, respectively, move away. Just over 1,900 people left San Mateo County.

California's population grew by roughly 332,000 people in the last fiscal year — its biggest increase in nearly a decade, according to new California Department of Finance estimates.

The Dept. of Finance now projects [PDF] that the state "will cross the 50 million mark in 2049 and grow to nearly 52.7 million by 2060." Last year we posted here that a USC study put the 50 million threshold at 2046.

Thursday, December 12, 2013 in Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

3 hours ago - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

4 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business