Population of State Tops 30 Million but Growth Rate Slows

The Department of Finance said Wednesday that California’s population continued to grow last year, topping 30 million for the first time, although the recession took its toll by slowing the rate of growth.

At the same time the state was growing, more people were moving inland rather than to coastal population centers, apparently attracted by more affordable housing. Among large counties, the greatest percentage increases were recorded in Riverside and San Bernardino counties in the south, 6% and 4.8% respectively, and by El Dorado and Shasta counties in the north, 5.5% and 5% respectively.

The population update by the department, covering the 12-month period that ended last July 31, showed that most of the recent growth statewide came from 613,000 babies having been born in California in that year. There was also a net in-migration of 276,000 new residents, of whom 88% or 242,000 were from foreign countries.

When the 219,000 deaths over the same 12-month period are factored in, California’s population grew by 670,000, reaching an estimated 30.6 million, the Finance Department said.

For state officials, the numbers mean that they will continue to face new demands for state services and be confronted by chronic budget problems.

The 613,000 babies born here last year will be ready for public schools in four to five years, adding even more pressure on overcrowded school systems.

Cynthia Katz, assistant director of the Finance Department, said the new statistics confirm early Administration warnings--that the state must prepare for 6 million new residents by the turn of the century.

Katz said the large number of births are creating constant demand for new services, particularly in public schools, although it will be years before the youngest Californians reach taxpaying age.

“By the year 2000 there are going to be more people who need government services than who will be available to pay for them,” she said.

At the same time, the report shows clearly that California’s balmy climate, beaches and other attractions are still a magnet, drawing people here not only from other states but from around the world.

Despite the recession and what some officials believe has been an unprecedented amount of bad press about California’s fiscal woes, population growth, congestion and other problems, 34,000 more people moved here from other states in the nation than moved out. That compares to the 214,000 people moving from other states in 1990.

John Malson, a state demographics expert, attributed the drop in large part to the recession, but said he believes that “California bashing” also probably took its toll, citing numerous articles in national publications about the state’s problems.

Linda Gage, head of the Department of Finance’s demographics unit, said, “California bashing apparently is not reaching the foreign press. California continues to be a powerful magnet for people from foreign countries.”

Although the population growth means the state grew by roughly the number of people who live in Ventura County, it is well below the net increase of 834,000 persons recorded a year earlier.

The 2.2% growth rate for the state compares to an average annual growth of 2.6% for the years between 1985 and 1990.

State officials said they believe the rate of growth should jump when the recession ends.

Lawmakers representing inland counties in the Legislature say the population growth and trends showing movement to the inland areas are not new to them.

Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) said growth in Riverside County is due mainly to people moving out of Orange County to purchase more affordable housing.