Counting heads in California's capital isn't as straightforward as you’d think. Honestly, it depends entirely on where you draw the line. Are we talking about the downtown grid? The city limits? Or the massive, sprawling suburban landscape that most people just call "Sac"?
The numbers are shifting. Fast.
If you’re looking for the quick answer, the City of Sacramento currently houses roughly 535,798 people as of early 2026. This is according to the latest 2024 and 2025 growth estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau and California Department of Finance. It’s a solid jump from the 524,943 recorded during the 2020 decennial census.
But that’s just the city. If you zoom out to the Sacramento Metropolitan Area, you’re looking at a staggering 2.48 million people.
Why the Sacramento population numbers are weird
You’ve probably heard people say Sacramento is "exploding." Kinda true. Kinda not.
While San Francisco and Los Angeles saw people packing their bags over the last few years, Sacramento became the landing pad. It's the "Release Valve" for the Bay Area. When a one-bedroom in San Francisco costs more than a mortgage in the Natomas suburbs, people move.
But here’s the nuance: the city itself is growing at about 1.1% to 1.3% annually. That’s steady, but the real "boom" is happening in the surrounding counties like Placer and El Dorado. Cities like Roseville and Folsom are sucking up a huge chunk of the regional growth.
The City vs. The Region
Most people asking how many people live in Sacramento California don't realize they might actually be asking about the county.
- Sacramento City: ~535,798
- Sacramento County: ~1,644,681
- Greater Sacramento Metro: ~2,487,000
Basically, the city is only about 20% of the actual regional population. It’s the 6th largest city in California, trailing just behind Fresno but sitting comfortably ahead of Long Beach and Oakland.
Who is actually moving here?
It isn't just "tech bros" fleeing Palo Alto.
The demographics are getting more complex. Sacramento remains one of the most integrated and diverse cities in the United States. White residents make up about 30% of the city population, with Hispanic or Latino residents at nearly 30%, followed by a significant Asian population (20%) and Black population (12%).
It’s a melting pot that actually looks like a melting pot.
We are also seeing a massive "silver tsunami." The 65-and-older population in the region grew by over 25,000 people in just the last year. Retirees are realizing their Bay Area home equity goes a long way here.
The "Bay Area Migration" Myth
There is a common complaint among locals that "everyone" is from San Jose or San Francisco now.
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It’s an exaggeration, but it’s rooted in truth. Census data suggests that while domestic migration into Sacramento is high, a huge portion of our growth is "natural increase"—meaning births are still outpacing deaths.
Also, international migration has rebounded. After a few slow years, legal immigration into the Sacramento valley has seen an upward revision, contributing nearly 200,000 new residents to the state overall in the last two years, with a healthy slice landing in the capital.
What this means for the "Sacramento Lifestyle"
More people means more traffic on the 50 and the 80. Obviously.
But it also means the city is finally shaking off that "sleepy government town" vibe. We have a Michelin-star food scene now. The Kings (Light the Beam!) have a rejuvenated fan base. The grid is denser.
The real-world impact of 535,000+ residents:
- Housing Costs: The median home price in Sacramento County is hovering around $540,000. It’s "cheap" for California, but it’s becoming a struggle for local workers.
- Rent: Average rent is now roughly $1,700 to $1,900 for a decent one-bedroom.
- Inventory: We have a massive housing shortage. The city is desperately trying to build "missing middle" housing—duplexes and triplexes—to accommodate the 5,000+ new people arriving every year.
Is the growth sustainable?
Local experts like those at the Sacramento Council of Governments (SACOG) are projecting the region will hit 3.1 million people by 2050.
That is basically like adding another entire City of Sacramento to the map.
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The biggest limitation isn't space—it's water and fire. As we push further into the foothills of Placer and El Dorado counties, we are building in high-risk fire zones. Meanwhile, the city itself has to figure out how to keep the taps running during the inevitable "mega-droughts" that hit the Central Valley.
What you should do next
If you are planning to move or invest because of these numbers, don't just look at the City of Sacramento.
- Look at the "Ring" Cities: Check out Elk Grove, Roseville, and Rocklin. These are where the schools are top-rated and where the bulk of the "new" money is flowing.
- Monitor the Rental Market: Vacancy rates in midtown are lower than in the suburbs, which is rare. People want to live where they can walk to coffee.
- Check the Flood Maps: Sacramento is the second most flood-prone city in the country after New Orleans. More people are living here, but they’re often living behind aging levees.
Sacramento isn't a "hidden gem" anymore. The secret is out, and the 535,000 people living here are the proof.
Actionable Insight: If you're analyzing the market, prioritize the "Greater Sacramento" stats over the city-specific ones. The economic engine of the region is no longer just the Capitol building; it's the 2.4 million people living within a 30-mile radius of it.