California sees some population growth while cities struggle to keep up with housing

Most cities across Califoia saw their populations grow in 2015, including Los Angeles, Beaumont, Long Beach and Irvine, but the housing market remained flat across the board, according to the state’s Department of Finance’s aual population report.

The overall population in the Golden State increased by 348,000 residents or just under 1 percent in 2015, compared to the year before. Big cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose saw more residents and added new housing units but many northe and easte counties saw decreases in what researchers called a near decade-long downward trend.

Amid the gains, there were other losses.

Net housing units were down by 3 percent, a result of wildfires in unincorporated portions of Lake County and Calaveras County. Among the new units built in Califoia, more than 50 percent were multi-family housing.

The report also shows:

• Of 482 Califoia cities, 44 had reductions, and 1 experienced no change.

• In Los Angeles County, Veon had the largest percentage growth in Califoia, increasing by 72 percent because of a new housing development.

• Prisons saw their populations drop by 11.3 percent, which had a ripple effect on smaller cities.

Population estimates are produced each year to calculate aual appropriations limit. The estimates also are used for research and plaing purposes by federal, state, and local agencies, the academic community, and the private sector, according to the state’s department of finance.