Most Populated California Cities

The figures for the most populated California cities are based on the California Department of Finance (CDF) estimates. The estimates made by the United States Census Bureau (USC) are also provided for. The numbers are for the incorporated cities and not urban or metropolitan areas.

The Top Five

At number one is Los Angeles. The CDF puts the population at 4,094,764, while the USC estimate is 3,831,000. At number two is San Diego with a population of 1,376,173 according to the CDF. The USC estimate is 1,306,000.

At number three is San Jose with 1,023,083. The USC estimates put the figure at 965,000. The fourth most populated is San Francisco. The population has been put at 856,095 by the CDF and 815,000 by the USC. The number five slot belongs to Fresno. The population figure is 505,479 according to the CDF and 476,050 according to the USC.

Number Six to Ten

Long Beach is number six in the list of the most populated California cities. The CDF puts the population at 501,709 while the USC estimates it is 463,789. Sacramento is at number 7. The population is 500,189 (CDF) or 463,794 (USC). The number eight slot belongs to Oakland. CDF stats put the population at 430,666 while the USC places the figure at 404,155.

Santa Ana is at number nine with a CDF population estimate of 357,754. The USC figure is 339,130. Anaheim is the tenth most populated. Based on CDF estimates, the population is 353,643. The USC puts it at 335,288.

Number 11 to 20

Bakersfield is at number 11. The CDF population estimate is 338,952 while the USC estimate is 321,078. Riverside is the twelfth most populated with 304,051 according to the CDF. The USC estimate is 295,357.

Stockton is at number 13 with 292,133. The USC population estimate is 287,037. At number 14 is Chula Vista with a CDF population estimate of 237,595. The USC puts the figure at 219,318.

The 15th most populated is Fremont. The CDF population estimate is 218,128. The USC estimate is 202,867. At number 16 is Irvine. The population has been put at 217,686 by the CDF. The USC estimate is 207,500.

At number 17 is Modesto with 211,536. The USC figure is 202,967. The eighteenth most populated is Glendale with 207,902. The USC estimate is 197,176.

San Bernardino is at number 19. The figure has been set at 204,800 by the CDF and 198,580 by the USC. At 20 in the most populated California cities list is Huntington Beach with 203,484 (CDF) or 192,620 (USC).