Inland Empire continues to grow in population while California overall declines
In current news, the Inland Empire is notably continuing to expand in population despite California experiencing a decrease in residents. When legal and illegal immigration both saw a decline, the growth of Riverside and San Bernardino counties by a combined 10,190 people stood out in 2025, especially with the state losing a net of 66,000 residents. The annual population estimates from the state Department of Finance revealed that “The population increased in 17 counties, with most growth in the Central Valley and the Inland Empire,” showing that the IE is holding its ground in terms of population growth.
Over time, examining the Finance Department’s population data since the late 1980s has become a habit. While the accuracy of the numbers themselves may be questionable, they serve as a point of reference for understanding the scale of our cities and counties relative to one another. Fascinatingly, Riverside and San Bernardino are recognized as the fourth- and fifth-largest counties by population in California, following Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange. The Inland Empire, comprising both counties, boasts a total of 4,723,509 residents, indicating significant regional growth compared to other areas in California.
Among the top five counties, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego experienced population increases, whereas Los Angeles and Orange saw decreases. This trend is expected, given the immigrant-heavy demographics of L.A and Orange counties, pushing residents eastward. Within the Inland Empire, certain cities gained population while others declined for reasons that are unclear. For instance, the Finance Department claimed that Rancho Cucamonga lost 428 people while neighboring Fontana gained 1,314, sparking speculation about residents changing locales.
Surprisingly, there were notable demographic shifts, such as the loss of residents in certain cities like Jurupa Valley, Victorville, and Palm Springs, juxtaposed with population gains in neighboring cities like Eastvale, Hesperia, and Menifee. These fluctuations may be purely coincidental, but it’s amusing to visualize residents jumping from one city to another. Highlights from the Finance Department’s data include the registration of the IE on lists of cities with significant population changes, both positive and negative, indicating the dynamic nature of the region’s growth patterns.
It is evident that the Inland Empire’s demographic landscape is evolving, with cities like Wildomar, Montclair, Ontario, and Twentynine Palms experiencing notable population fluctuations. The Finance Department’s data provide a comprehensive overview of the population changes within the IE, shedding light on the region’s urban development trends and demographic shifts. Riverside’s status as the largest city in the IE further emphasizes its prominence in the region, making it a pivotal focus for discussions on population dynamics and growth patterns within California.