Using the latest Census data, we detail the 100 biggest cities in California. You can all see a comprehensive list of all 998 cities and places in California. We all love the biggest cities that the Golden State has to offer. You know the places like Los Angeles and San Diego which make all the headlines. But there are a bunch of other great large cities in California that don't get as much love. We're going to change that right now. Using the most recent Census data, we can tell you about all the places in California with a focus on the biggest. We update the data each year and this is our fourth time doing this. The Largest Cities In California For 2026: You can click here to see a full table of the 100 biggest cities in California , along with every other place over 1,000 people big. It is sortable by clicking on the headers. Read on below to see more on the biggest cities. Or for more reading on places to live in California, check out: Best Places To Live In California Cheapest Places To Live In California Most Dangerous Cities In California The 10 Biggest Cities In California Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change) Population: 3,857,263.0 Population 2010: 3,772,486 Growth: 2.2% More on Los Angeles: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate Rank Last Year: 2 (No Change) Population: 1,389,526.0 Population 2010: 1,282,800 Growth: 8.3% More on San Diego: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate Rank Last Year: 3 (No Change) Population: 990,138.0 Population 2010: 925,300 Growth: 7.0% More on San Jose: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate 4. San Francisco Rank Last Year: 4 (No Change) Population: 830,235.0 Population 2010: 789,172 Growth: 5.2% More on San Francisco: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate Rank Last Year: 5 (No Change) Population: 545,970.0 Population 2010: 484,008 Growth: 12.8% More on Fresno: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate Rank Last Year: 6 (No Change) Population: 528,706.0 Population 2010: 459,511 Growth: 15.1% More on Sacramento: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate Rank Last Year: 7 (No Change) Population: 455,548.0 Population 2010: 461,823 Growth: -1.4% More on Long Beach: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate Rank Last Year: 8 (No Change) Population: 439,418.0 Population 2010: 386,909 Growth: 13.6% More on Oakland: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate Rank Last Year: 9 (No Change) Population: 411,986.0 Population 2010: 331,868 Growth: 24.1% More on Bakersfield: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate Rank Last Year: 10 (No Change) Population: 344,521.0 Population 2010: 333,039 Growth: 3.4% More on Anaheim: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate How We Determined The Largest Cities In California We've been ranking and dissecting cities in the Golden State for over 4 years now -- making this actually the fourth time we've run the numbers. We always use the best data, the US Census. In this case, that means we are using the American Community Survey . It what is probably the most simple analysis we run each year, we ranked every place in California from biggest to smallest. The biggest city this year? That would be Los Angeles. The smallest? Kettleman City, although there are places smaller than 1,000 people not listed here, so keep that in mind as we take a look at the top ten. Now on to numbers 11-100 Biggest in California We hope that you find the big city, or really any city, that's right for you. Below is a list of the rest of the biggest cities along with every other place in California. Have fun snacking around in the Golden State! For more reading on California, check out: Best Places To Raise A Family In California Best Places To Retire In California Richest Cities In California Safest Places In California Worst Places To Live In California Most Expensive Places To Live In California Detailed List Of The Biggest Cities In California USA Cities By State Cities in Alabama Cities in Alaska Cities in Arizona Cities in Arkansas

Cities in California Cities in Colorado Cities in Connecticut Cities in Delaware Cities in Florida Cities in Georgia Cities in Hawaii Cities in Idaho Cities in Illinois Cities in Indiana Cities in Kansas Cities in Kentucky Cities in Louisiana Cities in Maine Cities in Maryland Cities in Massachusetts Cities in Michigan Cities in Minnesota Cities in Mississippi Cities in Missouri Cities in Montana Cities in Nebraska Cities in Nevada Cities in New Hampshire Cities in New Jersey Cities in New Mexico Cities in New York Cities in North Carolina Cities in North Dakota Cities in Oklahoma Cities in Oregon Cities in Pennsylvania Cities in Rhode Island Cities in South Carolina Cities in South Dakota Cities in Tennessee Cities in Texas Cities in Vermont Cities in Virginia Cities in Washington Cities in West Virginia Cities in Wisconsin Cities in Wyoming