Policy Analysis — June 2026

Immigration & Population

10.9M immigrants, 1.46M domestic out-migration, and a $17-22B fiscal question California has never formally studied.

Immigrants

10.9M

28% of CA population

Undocumented

2.25M

Down from 2.8M (2007)

Domestic Loss

−1.46M

Net out-migration 2020-24

House Seats

52→48

Projected loss by 2030

Two Migrations, One State

California is simultaneously losing Americans and gaining immigrants

California is home to 10.9 million immigrants — 22% of the US foreign-born population. 28% of Californians are foreign-born (double the national 13%). Almost half (44%) of California's children have at least one immigrant parent. The vast majority were born in Latin America (49%) or Asia (41%). PPIC

At the same time, the state has experienced 20+ years of continuous negative domestic migration. Since 2020, 1.46 million more people left for other states than arrived, while 934,000 international migrants came in. The net result: California's population is still below its April 2020 Census count. CA DOF

The state is undergoing a population exchange — losing domestic residents (disproportionately higher-income, educated, Republican-leaning) while gaining international migrants (younger, more economically diverse). This reshapes the tax base, political composition, workforce, and demand for public services.

Top Countries of Origin

California's immigrant population by birth country (thousands)

Sources: EIA, CAISO, CA Energy Commission, CPUC, CA Legislative Analyst, NRC, AAA, GasBuddy, Tax Foundation, MIT/Stanford, Kpler, Bloomberg, Reuters, CalMatters, UC Davis. March 2026.