5 Most Densely Populated Cities in California

4. Berkeley, California

Population per square mile: 12,812.80

Berkeley, California, ranks 4th in population density with an overall population of 118,950 people, and a land area of 10.43 square miles. Berkeley is a hub of academic and cultural vibrancy, home to the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. Despite a population decrease of 4.3% since 2020, Berkeley’s streets and public spaces buzz with the energy of students, locals, and visitors alike. According to the Neilsberg Research titled Berkeley, CA population by year, the city experienced a significant population drop of 7.56% in 2021, followed by a rebound increase of 3.61% in the second year.