California's population growth for the second consecutive year, with much of the growth trending towards the state's largest city, according to new data released Thursday by the California Treasury Department.

The latest figures for the 2024 calendar year confirm the end of the so-called California Exodus, which is the first time the Golden State’s population has shrunk in decades.

Seven of the state's 10 largest cities have recorded population growth as they rebounded from pandemic-era shrinking, which has suffered the biggest impact in most urban centers in the state.

By the end of 2024, the state's population was almost eclipsed, but it was still well above the high water level difference since April 2020 by about 9,000, reflecting slow growth in the years since then.

According to the California Department of Treasury, the state lost about 360,000 residents from April 2020 to January 2022. California added about 108,000 in 2024 after nearly 200,000 in 2023. If growth continues, the state should eclipse its pre-pandemic population in 2025.

“People from all over the country and around the world are coming to the Golden State to pursue California’s dreams, where rights are protected and respected,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “As the fourth largest economy in the world – from the Inland Empire to the Bay Area, the entire state of California is growing, strengthening local communities and promoting the future of our state.”

"We will continue to cut the tapes, investors and seek real results from the government to ensure we are based on this momentum, all of which are facing extreme and uncertain tariffs," Newsom said.

The biggest winner of the population is Bakersfield, which grew 1.2% in 2024 and San Diego grew 1%. Los Angeles grew 0.4%.

In the Bay Area, San Jose and San Francisco see their population slightly contracted – each with a population of less than half a percentage point.

The difference between natural increase or birth and death is the 114,805 increase in 2024, but the state's total population has increased by 108,000. The difference is explained by the net migration of approximately 7,000 people from California.

Over the past few years, California records have left others to other states such as Texas and Arizona, rather than the benefits gained from internal immigration. International immigration, mainly from Asia, has now strengthened the state's population, opposing the losses of those leaving other states.

On the housing side, the state's slow growth continues: Housing growth was 0.84% ​​in 2024, similar to 2023, which is behind many other states. One-fifth of new homes built in California in 2024 are attachment residential units or Adus.