SACRAMENTO – (INT) – After three consecutive years of gains, California’s population declined in 2025 impacted by federal immigration policy changes.

The State Department of Finance reported that Riverside and San Bernardino were among ten counties of a million or more residents with population growth. The two counties remained among the most populous with a combined total of 4-point-7 million residents.

Combined, the top ten counties represented 72 percent of California’s population.

Among the IE’s fastest growing cities, were Wildomar, Banning and Montclair. Their growth rate ranged up to 3-point-9 percent. Inland Empire cities losing population included Norco at just over 7 percent.

Story Date: May 4, 2026