How many immigrants are in California?
Updated annually
About 10.9 million in 2024. This represents approximately 27.7% of the population, or about 2 in 7 residents in California. Immigrants are defined as foreign-born residents, which includes people who became US citizens, are authorized to come to the US (e.g., on work visas, student visas), or are undocumented residents.
In 2024,
10.9M
California residents were foreign-born
In 2024,
2 in 7
residents were foreign-born
The number of foreign-born residents in California grew from 10.5 million in 2014 to 10.9 million in 2024. This increase occurred alongside changes in the native-born population due to births, deaths, and people moving. Analyzing the foreign-born share of the total population provides a better view of these demographics. In California, the foreign-born share of the population was 27.7% in 2024, higher than the US overall at 14.8%, and up from 27.1% in the state since 2014.
In California, 27.7% of the population was foreign-born in 2024
Foreign-born share of population, 2009-2024
Variations in immigrant populations illustrate a changing population landscape in both local areas and the nation as a whole. The largest immigration populations are concentrated in big metro areas. Metro areas in California, Texas, Florida, and parts of the Northeast generally have a higher share of foreign-born residents.
From 2019 to 2023, the metro areas (with data) in the US with the highest and lowest foreign-born population share were: the Miami, FL area at 41.9% foreign-born (highest) and the Parkersburg, WV area at 0.98% foreign-born (lowest). The highest and lowest among the metro areas in or connected to California were: the San Jose, CA area at 40.3% foreign-born (highest) and the Redding, CA area at 4.9% foreign-born (lowest).
On average, 8.3% of the population in metro areas was foreign-born from 2019 to 2023
Foreign-born share of population by metropolitan area, 2019-2023
Foreign-born share of the population
| 1. | San Luis Obispo, CA area | 9.6% |
| 2. | Chico, CA area | 8% |
| 3. | San Jose, CA area | 40.3% |
| 4. | Redding, CA area | 4.9% |
| 5. | Los Angeles, CA area | 32.5% |
| 6. | El Centro, CA area | 30.8% |
| 7. | Salinas, CA area | 28.8% |
| 8. | Merced, CA area | 26.1% |
| 9. | Stockton, CA area | 24.5% |
| 10. | San Diego, CA area | 22.5% |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
