Monterey County City Crowned California’s Fastest-Growing; State Population Trends Unveiled

California In 2024, the population of California rose above 39.5 million, signifying the second consecutive year of growth after several years of decline due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic in the state with the largest population.

The population increased by approximately 1%, which equates to an additional 108,000 individuals. compared to 2023 Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced on Thursday. This growth can be attributed partly to more births than deaths and an uptick in the adult population aged 65 and over. Additionally, the state mentioned improved data collection methods helped capture increased numbers of individuals immigrating legally into California from various nations.

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Approximately one out of every nine individuals residing in the United States lives in California.

The Democratic governor highlighted the increase in population as an indicator of the expanding state economy, noting that it ranks among the biggest globally. According to Newsom’s office, the state’s economic output has exceeded Japan’s, placing it just below the entire U.S., China, and Germany. This was revealed earlier this week.

People from all over the country and around the world are flocking to the Golden State to chase the California Dream, a vision where rights are safeguarded and individuals are honored," stated Newsom. "Various areas within California are expanding, fortifying local neighborhoods, and enhancing our state's prospects for the future.

However, Republicans in the Democratic-controlled state and elsewhere have previously criticized California for its population decline and the significant number of residents who moved to Texas. According to U.S. Census data, this migration represented the biggest flow from one state to another within the country.

Critics have linked previous drops in population within the Golden State to the ongoing homelessness crisis and increasing cost of living. California boasts some of the nation’s highest costs for housing, gasoline, and utilities.

The population increased in nine out of the top ten largest counties, with Los Angeles County seeing an uptick of 28,000 people from 2023. Conversely, in Contra Costa County—the ninth most populated county in the state and part of the San Francisco Bay Area—the resident count dropped by only about two dozen individuals.

On the Central Coast, population numbers increased modestly, with Monterey County seeing a rise of 0.5%, growing from 436,613 residents to 438,831 within one year.

San Benito experienced a comparable percentage growth, increasing from 66,514 to 66,822, which represents a .5% rise.

In Santa Cruz County, there was a 0.1% growth in population, increasing from 263,454 to 263,710 residents.

Across the Central Coast, housing numbers also rose, with Santa Cruz County experiencing a 0.7% growth, increasing from 107,617 units to 108,393 units.

Monterey County experienced a 0.4% growth, increasing from 147,155 housing units to 147,790.

The City of Seaside topped the list as the fastest-growing city in California with a populace exceeding 30,000 residents and secured ninth place among municipalities below 300,000 inhabitants for experiencing the highest numerical increase in population.

Seaside experienced a 5.7% growth in population, with an additional 1,720 residents over the course of one year.

The state linked this significant rise to a 3.3% growth at California State University, Monterey Bay.

San Benito County was listed as the third-fastest growing county in terms of housing units, coming after Madera and Placer. The county experienced a rise of 1.7%, with the number of housing units increasing from 21,892 to 22,261 between 2024 and early 2025.

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READ THE FULL STORY: The city within Monterey County has been identified as California's quickest expanding, according to recently disclosed state population statistics.

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