What is the approximate population of California?

According to the United States Census Bureau, the approximate population of California in 2013 was 38,041,430. This was a 2.1 percent increase from the last census in 2010.

Based on historical trends of the state, California should reach 38.801 million people by 2015, and continue to grow at a rate of 2 percent every year thereafter. California is 560 miles across, from east to west, and it's about 1,040 miles long. Given the approximate numbers, the population density of the state is about 242 people per square mile. Despite such a large population, California is home to Alpine County; one of the eight smallest counties in the state, it doesn't have a high school, ATMs, banks or traffic lights.