2010 Census Shows Population Growth for California

The first set of California's local 2010 census data was released on Tuesday, and San Diego's population has grown by 84,002 people since 2000, according to the data.

Ten years ago, the 2000 census pegged San Diego's population at 1,223,400, and the 2010 census has pushed it up to 1,307,402 for nearly 7 percent growth.

According to Census Bureau figures released Tuesday, San Diego County's population rose in step with California's population. Both rose 10 percent from April 2000 to April 2010.

The Golden State grew from 33.9 million residents to 37.3 million residents during that decade, the Census Bureau reported. Californians appear to be moving toward the middle of the state—at least when it comes to where they call home.

Riverside County had the biggest jump, increasing 41 percent from 2000 to 2010.

The only counties that saw population decreases were three small regions in the Sierra Nevada. They were Alpine County (down 3 percent), Plumas County (down 4 percent) and Sierra County (down 9 percent).

Associate Regional Editor David Mills contributed to this story.