Americans Are Flocking to These 5 Fastest-Growing Counties in California

Did you know that of all of the people in the United States, one out of eight lives in California? In fact, with over 39 million residents (according to July 2022 Census Bureau estimates), California is the most-populated state in the country. It far surpassed the second-place state of Texas and the third-place state of Florida. According to the California Department of Finance, the state’s population could grow to nearly 42 million by 2030. The fastest-growing counties in California have seen incredible development and growth, particularly in central parts of the state rich in agricultural resources, full of natural beauty, and with plenty of opportunity for a laid-back lifestyle.

However, California’s growth has slowed in the 21st century. The population of California only grew by 5.8% between 2010 and 2020. This makes it significantly slower than the rest of the United States, which grew by 6.8%. California’s population also lost 600,000 people between January 2020 and July 2020 – due in part to deaths caused by COVID-19 as well as the many residents who left the state during the pandemic. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. California is becoming increasingly diverse. Over 10 million California residents are immigrants. The state’s residents are younger than the rest of the country. And, despite the declining populations of several significant areas in California, there are quite a few counties that actually saw population gains. This article will dive deeper into several of these fastest-growing counties in California.

Population Changes in California

As a whole, California’s population has been declining. Residents are fleeing from areas such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco to move to other parts of the United States – including states such as Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee. However, though the overall population of California is shrinking, census data show that the population change is impacting certain counties differently.

Since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of California’s largest counties, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara, have begun to recover from some stark population losses that occurred in 2020 and 2021. Although the pandemic and other factors prompted many Californians to move to other states, some of the counties hit the hardest have begun to return to pre-pandemic levels. The 2020-21 census data showed that urban counties like Los Angeles and San Francisco had the biggest percentage losses in population.

List of the Top 10 Counties in California with Declining Populations

In California, the following counties had the highest rates of population loss between July 2021 and July 2022:

• Lassen: -6%
• Alpine: -3.64%
• Plumas: -2.95%
• Sierra: -2.36%
• Mono: -2.13%
• Trinity: -1.74%
• Del Norte: -1.71%
• Napa: -1.40%
• Mendocino: -1.34%
• San Mateo: -1.34%

List of the Top Fastest Growing Counties in California

In contrast, here are the counties in California that had the greatest population gains in the same time period, between July 2021 and July 2022:

• Riverside
• Yolo
• Merced
• Santa Cruz
• San Benito
• Yuba
• Placer
• San Luis Obispo
• Madera

This article will look a little closer at several of these places on the list of fastest-growing counties in California. Let’s dive in together now to explore five of these fastest-growing counties in California together.

A Closer Look at 5 of the Fastest-Growing Counties in California

Riverside County

Riverside County, California, grew by 2.3% from 2020 to 2022. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,418,177. By the 2022 estimate, the population was estimated to be 2,473,902 This southern California county was originally formed in 1893 from portions of San Bernardino and San Diego Counties. Today, it reaches from part of the Los Angeles area all the way to the border with Arizona. Riverside County contains the county seat, Riverside, as well as dozens of cities and unincorporated communities. This county is one of the most-populated counties in the state of California and is the tenth most populous county within the U.S. as a whole. 

Riverside County is also famous for its incredible natural landscape, including 19 official wilderness areas. Among these, some of the most famous are Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Joshua Tree National Park, and San Bernardino National Forest. 

As of 2022, the median single-family home in Riverside County, California, cost $639,700.

Yolo County

Yolo County, officially called the County of Yolo, in California, grew by 2.6% from 2020 to 2022. As of the 2020 census, the population was 216,403. By the 2022 estimate, the population was estimated to be 222,115. This northern California county is located in the Sacramento Valley and is part of the Greater Sacramento Metropolitan Area. Yolo County is home to the county seat of Woodland as well as the other cities of Brooks, Clarksburg, Davis, Dunnigan, Esparto, Guinda, Knights Landing, Madison, West Sacramento, Winters, and Yolo. 

Yolo County was one of the first original 27 counties formed when California became a state. Located directly west of Sacramento, Yolo County offers a small-town feel in its historic towns with charming main roads, quaint independent businesses, and beautiful vineyards and wetland habitats. The University of California at Davis is the largest local employer and is at the heart of the county’s cultural and academic life. However, this county also offers incredible nature to explore, museums and other attractions, and wineries that attract thousands of visitors each year.

In December 2022, the median cost of a single-family home in Yolo County was $600,000. 

Merced County

Merced County, California, grew by 2.0% from 2021 to 2022 and 3.1% from 2020 to 2022. This central valley county in California is part of the northern San Joaquin Valley area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 281,202. By the 2022 estimate, the population was estimated to be 290,014.

Merced County is home to the county seat of Merced as well as the other cities of Atwater, Delhi, Dos Palos, Gustine, Le Grand, Livingston, Los Banos, Planada, Santa Nella, Snelling, and Winton.

This Central Valley region is perfect for those who love taking in beautiful valley scenery and want a small-town feeling with affordable homes. Merced County is situated between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, with both major metropolitan areas about a 2 to 3-hour drive away. This area depends heavily on agriculture, and Merced County is number five in the top agricultural counties of California. Merced County is also famous for having over 150 historical towns and settlements, which once played an important role in the area’s history and development but which are now ghost towns. 

Today, people are drawn to Merced County thanks to the chance for a high quality of life, the low cost of living, and growing job opportunities. Residents can enjoy warm summer weather and temperate winters, with summer highs around 90 degrees Fahrenheit and winter lows averaging in the 50s. 

In December 2022, the median cost of a single-family home in Merced County was $340,000.

Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County, California, grew by 1.49% from 2021 to 2022. As of the 2020 census, the population was 269,925. By the 2022 estimate, the population was estimated to be 264,370. That is a significant drop! However, this was not the end of Santa Cruz’s “population roller coaster.” In fact, the city of Santa Cruz’s population gains were among the largest in the entire country. The city’s 12.5% population increase in 2022 almost did the work of bringing the population back up to the pre-COVID-19 levels. The city gained 7,000 people between July 2021 and July 2022 alone. However, in 2023, despite gains in certain years, Santa Cruz County’s population is still not back to its pre-pandemic levels.

Santa Cruz County is a coastal area of California about 35 miles north of Monterey and 70 miles south of San Francisco. The county seat is Santa Cruz, and the county also contains the other cities of Aptos, Ben Lomand, Boulder Creek, Brookdale, Capitola, Davenport, Felton, Freedom, Los Gatos, Mount Hermon, Scotts Valley, Soquel, and Watsonville. This beautiful county has incredible opportunities for surfing, walking sandy beaches, exploring redwood forests, hiking the mountains, and enjoying summer festivals and year-round events. Santa Cruz County has an incredible wine scene, plenty of local organic farms, and great restaurants that attract visitors and road-trippers just passing through on their way between some of California’s other major cities. 

In December 2022, the median cost of a single-family home in Santa Cruz County was $1,175,000. 

San Benito County

San Benito County, California, grew by 1.36% from 2021 to 2022. However, between 2020 and 2022, San Benito County grew an incredible 5.3%. With a population of 64,207 in 2020, by 2022 the population was estimated at 67,579. This county, officially known as the County of San Benito, is located in the Coast Range Mountains of California. The county seat is Hollister, alongside the other cities of San Juan Bautista, Tres Pinos, and Ridgemark. San Benito County is bordered to the north by Santa Cruz and Santa Clara, Merced, and Fresno to the east, and Monterey County to the south and west. 

From its long history to spectacular opportunities for climbing and hiking to amazing farm stands, restaurants, and resorts, San Benito County has so much to offer! There are plenty of scenic parks, vineyards and breweries, historical memorials and old architecture, and more. 

In December 2022, the median cost of a single-family home in San Benito County was $765,000.

Conclusion

Now that you have learned about the fastest-growing counties in California, what do you think? Do you see the appeal? Doubtlessly, California has some of the most beautiful parks, natural landscapes, and unique industries. Many of the counties included above contain unique wonders and historic communities. Will you join thousands of people in visiting or even moving to one of these places?

Summary of the 5 Fastest-Growing Counties in California

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