Fact Check: California has a population of nearly 40 million residents.

Fact Check: "California has a population of nearly 40 million residents."

What We Know

California is the most populous state in the United States, with a population that has been reported to be approximately 39.66 million as of early 2025 (source-5). According to the California Department of Finance, the state's population was estimated at 39,529,000 as of January 1, 2025, reflecting a growth of 108,000 persons in the previous year (source-2). The population figures indicate that California is indeed close to the 40 million mark, making the claim accurate.

Analysis

The claim that California has a population of nearly 40 million is supported by multiple credible sources. The California Department of Finance provides official population estimates, which are widely recognized as reliable. Their report indicates a population of 39,529,000 as of January 1, 2025 (source-2). Additionally, the World Population Review corroborates this figure, stating that California's population is approximately 39,663,800, reinforcing the assertion that the state is nearing the 40 million threshold (source-5).

Other sources, such as the Public Policy Institute of California, also confirm that the population is just over 39 million, which aligns with the estimates from the Department of Finance (source-4). The consistency across these sources adds to the reliability of the data presented.

While some reports indicate slight fluctuations in population due to various factors, including migration patterns and economic conditions, the general consensus remains that California's population is indeed close to 40 million. The slight variations in numbers do not undermine the overall accuracy of the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that California has a population of nearly 40 million residents is accurate based on multiple credible sources. The population estimates from the California Department of Finance and corroborating data from the World Population Review confirm that California's population is approximately 39.66 million as of early 2025, thus validating the claim.

Sources

1. California's population increases — again
2. 2025 E-1 Press Release - Department of Finance
3. California Population 2025
4. California's Population
5. US States - Ranking by Population 2025
6. State Updates Population and Housing Data Estimates
7. California's big cities are slowly bouncing back, data show
8. California Cities by Population (2025)