California to Gain 12 Million People by 2030

Buoyed by booming inland areas, California will grow by about 12.5 million residents over three decades to remain the nation’s most populous state, according to new census projections.

California is in the midst of a population swell from 33.87 million in the 2000 Census to 46.44 million in 2030 -- adding as many people as now live in Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest state.

California’s projected growth of 37% by 2030 ranks 13th behind rapidly expanding neighbors Nevada and Arizona as well as such lightly populated states as Alaska and Idaho.

Population growth will bring California added clout in Congress. The state is expected to add two U.S. representatives by 2030, making it one of only 10 states to gain lawmakers.

Nearly one in eight Americans lives in California, home to about 35.89 million people last year.

Most are clustered in massive coastal cities, but booming inland communities, such as those in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, have become the top people magnets because of their cheaper housing and new jobs.

All of the state’s top 10 fastest-growing counties are landlocked.

Riverside and San Bernardino were among the top five counties in the nation in population growth from 2003 to 2004, according to recent figures.