California: government, population and official figures

California is a state of the United States, the largest of 51 by population. California had an estimated 39,355,309 residents on 1 July 2025, 11.5% of the population of the 50 states and DC; the largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population fell by 0.02%, 5th slowest-growing of 51.

Who runs California?

The governor is Gavin Newsom. Governor's office. Phone: 1-916-445-2841. Address: 1021 O Street, Suite 9000 Sacramento , CA 95814.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in California: The economy of California (gross domestic product) was worth $4.30 trillion in 2025 at current prices, 13.9% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; the largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 6.0% on 2024.
• Health in California: Life expectancy at birth in California was 79.3 years in 2022, 6th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in California: 87.0% of public high school students in California graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); joint 22nd highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in California: The Census Bureau estimates that 11.8% of people in California lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 4,579,429 people; joint 23rd highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in California: California's state government took in $477.9 billion in fiscal year 2024, $12,139 per resident, 9th highest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in California

• California
• Department of Food and Agriculture
• Department of Social Services
• Department of Consumer Affairs
• Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
• Local governments
• California District Attorneys Association
• Department of Education
• Elections and Voter Information
• Governor's Office of Emergency Services
• Department of Public Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in California

1. Los Angeles 3,869,089 (2025)
2. San Diego 1,406,106 (2025)
3. San Jose 989,814 (2025)
4. San Francisco 826,079 (2025)
5. Fresno 555,549 (2025)
6. Sacramento 536,449 (2025)
7. Long Beach 450,469 (2025)
8. Oakland 440,838 (2025)
9. Bakersfield 422,165 (2025)
10. Anaheim 341,008 (2025)
11. Stockton 324,597 (2025)
12. Riverside 323,057 (2025)
13. Irvine 318,764 (2025)
14. Santa Ana 315,586 (2025)
15. Chula Vista 275,533 (2025)
16. Santa Clarita 228,430 (2025)
17. Fremont 226,442 (2025)
18. San Bernardino 222,044 (2025)
19. Fontana 221,223 (2025)
20. Modesto 219,652 (2025)
21. Moreno Valley 214,263 (2025)
22. Oxnard 199,651 (2025)
23. Huntington Beach 191,451 (2025)
24. Glendale 187,160 (2025)
25. Ontario 187,013 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

Up a level: the United States · government and power in the United States · cities

Sources

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