While California’s overall population declined over the past year, the City of Folsom continued to chart a different course, adding more than 2,000 new residents and reinforcing its position as one of the Sacramento region’s most steadily growing communities, according to newly released data from the California Department of Finance.
The latest estimates show Folsom’s population increased from 93,679 on Jan. 1, 2025, to 95,680 on Jan. 1, 2026, marking a gain of 2,001 residents, or 2.1 percent. The increase places Folsom among the top-performing cities in California, ranking ninth among cities with populations over 30,000 for percentage growth and seventh statewide among cities under 300,000 for total numeric population gains.
That growth places Folsom in notable company across the state. Leading California in percentage growth was Mountain House in San Joaquin County, which posted a 5.6 percent increase, followed closely by Lathrop, also at 5.6 percent. Wildomar ranked third with a 3.9 percent gain, while Santa Clara followed at 2.9 percent. Burlingame recorded a 2.8 percent increase, and Roseville—just to the north of Folsom in Placer County—posted a 2.7 percent gain, continuing its own rapid expansion. Banning followed at 2.5 percent, with Montclair at 2.2 percent. Folsom’s 2.1 percent increase placed it just behind those cities, tied with nearby Elk Grove, which also grew by 2.1 percent.
The rankings reflect a broader shift in California’s growth patterns, where inland communities with active housing development continue to attract new residents at a faster pace than many coastal areas. Within that trend, Folsom’s growth mirrors that of neighboring regional leaders like Roseville and Elk Grove, further highlighting the Sacramento area’s continued appeal.
Folsom’s gains come as California experienced a slight population decline of 54,000 residents, or 0.14 percent, bringing the statewide total to approximately 39.59 million. State officials noted that without recent federal policy changes, California was on track to gain roughly 66,000 residents, marking a significant swing in population trajectory within a single year.
At the center of that shift was a sharp reduction in legal international migration, historically one of California’s primary drivers of population growth. Legal international migration fell from 248,400 people in 2024 to 126,400 in 2025, a drop of more than 50 percent. At the same time, net domestic out-migration continued to impact the state, with 288,600 residents leaving California for other states.
While natural population increase—the difference between births and deaths—remained positive, adding 108,200 residents statewide, that figure declined slightly from the previous year. The combined impact of reduced international migration, continued domestic outflow and a slowing natural increase resulted in California’s first population decline following three consecutive years of growth after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even as those broader demographic forces reshaped California’s population, Folsom continued to grow, supported in part by a strong pace of housing development.
The city’s housing stock increased from 34,581 units to 35,837 units over the same period, a 3.6 percent increase that significantly outpaced the statewide housing growth rate of 0.77 percent. That growth reflects continued residential construction and demand within Folsom, helping to accommodate its expanding population.
Across California, housing production added 115,165 net new units in 2025, pushing the state’s total housing inventory beyond 15 million units for the first time. While that milestone reflects continued construction activity, the pace of growth slowed slightly compared to the previous year.
Closer to home, the Sacramento region continued to play a major role in population gains. Sacramento County led the state’s ten largest counties with an increase of approximately 9,000 residents and ranked among the faster-growing large counties overall. That regional momentum has helped support growth in surrounding communities, including Folsom, which continues to attract new residents even as other parts of the state experience declines.
Population changes across California varied widely. The report found that 148 cities gained population while 333 lost residents, illustrating the uneven nature of growth across the state. Inland areas, particularly in the Central Valley and Inland Empire, saw the strongest gains, while several coastal and urban areas experienced losses tied to migration trends and housing constraints.
Among California’s largest cities, six of the ten recorded population increases, led by Sacramento, which grew by 1.3 percent, and San Diego, which added more than 10,000 residents. Meanwhile, Los Angeles County experienced the largest population decline, influenced by migration patterns, natural population changes and other external factors.
Within that broader statewide landscape, Folsom’s continued growth stands out as both consistent and significant. The city’s combination of steady population gains, strong housing expansion and its position within a growing Sacramento region reinforces its role as one of Northern California’s most dynamic communities, continuing to expand even as the state overall navigates shifting demographic trends.
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