What are the largest metro areas in California?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is the largest metro area in California, with 12,844,441 residents in 2025 (Census PEP). Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (4,769,007) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (4,630,041) come next.
Data as of 2025 · updated
All 7 ranked California metro areas
| Rank | Metro area | Residents 2025 | Change 2020–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 12,844,441 | −2.6% |
| 2 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 4,769,007 | +3.5% |
| 3 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 4,630,041 | −2.4% |
| 4 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 2,477,274 | +3.1% |
| 5 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,984,473 | −0.6% |
| 6 | Fresno, CA | 1,203,383 | +3.2% |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | 187,478 | +3.3% |
How this is ranked
The Census Bureau's July 1 resident population estimates for 2025, largest first, with the change since 2020. Only metropolitan statistical areas of two or more counties are ranked (OMB Bulletin 23-01): a one-county area's figures are its county's, and micro areas are left out. An area that crosses a state line is ranked in each of its states. Areas without an estimate for the same year as the others are not ranked.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built.
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Questions
What is the largest metro area in California?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is the largest metro area in California, with 12,844,441 residents in 2025 (Census PEP). Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (4,769,007) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (4,630,041) come next.
How is this ranking calculated?
The Census Bureau's July 1 resident population estimates for 2025, largest first, with the change since 2020. Only metropolitan statistical areas of two or more counties are ranked (OMB Bulletin 23-01): a one-county area's figures are its county's, and micro areas are left out. An area that crosses a state line is ranked in each of its states. Areas without an estimate for the same year as the others are not ranked.