California Demographics

A map of California's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	15,778,963	15,579,652	40.2%	39.4%
White	13,267,442	13,714,587	33.8%	34.7%
Asian	6,007,197	5,978,795	15.3%	15.1%
Black	2,040,095	2,119,286	5.2%	5.4%
Multiracial	1,718,181	1,627,722	4.4%	4.1%
Native American/Other	475,499	518,181	1.2%	1.3%

California has an estimated population of 39,287,377, a less than 1% change from the 39,538,223 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 40.2% Hispanic, 33.8% White, 15.3% Asian, 5.2% Black, 4.4% Multiracial, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of California, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

California is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In California, that probability was 69.7% in 2020 and 69.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

California is ranked the most populous state in the United States, out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. California was ranked the 1st most populous state in the 2020 Census.

California's White Population

13,267,442 residents of California, or 33.8% of the population, identify as White. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, California is 50th in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, California's White population has declined by an estimated 3.3%. White residents' share of California's population has decreased from 34.7% to 33.8%.

California is less White than neighboring Nevada (44.8% White). Oregon (71.4% White). Utah (74.7% White). Arizona (52.6% White). and Idaho (78.6% White).

California's Black Population

2,040,095 residents of California, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Black. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, California is 31st in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, California's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.7%. Black residents' share of California's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.2%.

California is more Black than neighboring Oregon (1.8% Black), Utah (1.1% Black), Arizona (4.4% Black), and Idaho (0.7% Black). California is less Black than neighboring Nevada (9% Black),

California's Asian Population

6,007,197 residents of California, or 15.3% of the population, identify as Asian. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, California is 2nd in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, California's Asian population has remained roughly the same. Asian residents' share of California's population has remained roughly unchanged at 15.3%.

California is more Asian than neighboring Nevada (8.8% Asian), Oregon (4.4% Asian), Utah (2.4% Asian), Arizona (3.5% Asian), and Idaho (1.3% Asian).

California's Hispanic Population

15,778,963 residents of California, or 40.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, California is 2nd in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, California's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 1.3%. Hispanic residents' share of California's population has increased from 39.4% to 40.2%.

California is more Hispanic than neighboring Nevada (29.6% Hispanic), Oregon (14.7% Hispanic), Utah (15.9% Hispanic), Arizona (31.4% Hispanic), and Idaho (13.6% Hispanic).

California's Native American/Other Population

475,499 residents of California, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, California is 20th in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, California's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 8.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of California's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

California is less Native American/Other than neighboring Nevada (1.9% Native American/Other). Oregon (1.6% Native American/Other). Utah (1.9% Native American/Other). Arizona (3.8% Native American/Other). and Idaho (1.5% Native American/Other).

California's Multiracial Population

1,718,181 residents of California, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, California is 23rd in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, California's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 5.6%. Multiracial residents' share of California's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.4%.

California is more Multiracial than neighboring Utah (4% Multiracial), and Idaho (4.2% Multiracial). California is less Multiracial than neighboring Nevada (6% Multiracial), and Oregon (6.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.