California’s population bounces back, with growth in its largest cities

California’s population exodus has been stopped in its tracks.

The state’s population has grown for the second straight year, with much of the growth in its largest cities, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing figures from the state Department of Finance.

The growth reverses a pandemic population decline after decades of continued growth. But it failed to crack the whip on housing growth.

The biggest population growth came in the southern half of the state. Bakersfield led the way among larger cities with a 1.2 percent growth rate last year, followed by San Diego at 1 percent, and Los Angeles at 0.4 percent.

At the same time, populations fell in the Bay Area, with San Jose and San Francisco shrinking by less than half a percentage point.

Natural increase, or the difference between births and deaths, was responsible for a gain of 114,805 people last year , but the state’s population increased by only 108,000 overall. That’s because of a net migration out of California of 7,000 people.

Over the past few years, California has had more people leaving for states like Texas and Arizona than it gains from internal migration. International immigrants, who now mostly come from Asia, bolster the state’s population against loss from those who leave for other states.

Housing grew at 0.84 percent last year, about the same as in 2023, which lagged many other states. One in five new homes built in the state last year were accessory dwelling units, or granny flats.

ADU production has increased by more than 10 percent in each of the last two years. With each passing year, the backyard or converted garage units make up a larger fraction of new housing.

Seven of the state’s 10 largest cities had population growth, bouncing back from pandemic losses.

By the end of last year, the state’s population nearly surpassed its pre-pandemic peak, but was still 9,000 people short of the previous high in April 2020, reflecting shrinkage or slow growth in the years since.

From April 2020 to January 2022, the state lost 360,000 residents, according to the state Finance Department.

Last year, California added 108,000 residents, after adding nearly 200,000 people in 2023.

If the growth continues, the state should eclipse its pre-pandemic population next year, according to the Times.

“People from across the nation and the globe are coming to the Golden State to pursue the California Dream, where rights are protected and people are respected,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement.

“As the fourth largest economy in the world — from the Inland Empire to the Bay Area — regions throughout California are growing, strengthening local communities and boosting our state’s future.”

— Dana Bartholomew