How many people in California are on Medicare?
Refreshed annually
About 7.1 million, or 18% of the state's population, in 2025. Administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare is one of the largest federal programs based on spending, providing health insurance coverage primarily to people 65 and older.
7.1M
enrolled in Medicare programs (2025)
18%
of the state's population insured by Medicare (2025)
Between 2015 and 2025, Medicare enrollment in California grew from 5.65 million to 7.1 million, up 25.6% over the decade.
In 2025, 7.1 million California residents were enrolled across all Medicare programs.
Unique enrollment across all parts of Medicare
While people under 65 may qualify with a disability, end-stage renal disease, or ALS, Medicare primarily serves an older population. In 2025, 6.6 million California residents aged 65 or older were enrolled in at least one part of Medicare — 93% of all Medicare beneficiaries in the state.
For comparison, the total 65-and-older population in California in 2025 was 6.9 million. That means 95.7% of California residents in that age group are enrolled in Medicare.
Get weekly insights
Subscribe for data-driven insights. No spin, just the facts.
In 2025, 6.6 million people aged 65 and older in California were enrolled in Medicare.
Unique enrollment across all parts of Medicare, by age group
A state's share of Medicare coverage largely reflects its age distribution. In 2025, Medicare covered 18% of California residents, where 17.6% of the population is aged 65 or older. California ranks 45th of 50 states in Medicare coverage.
The share of California residents covered by Medicare has risen from 14.5% in 2015.
In 2025, 18% of California residents were covered by Medicare.
Share of population covered by Medicare and share of population 65 or older
Keep exploring
Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
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.
