One significant effect of the Gold Rush on the population of California was a massive population boom. The discovery of gold in 1848 attracted a wave of people from across the United States and around the world. This sudden influx of prospectors seeking fortune caused the population of California to skyrocket. In just a few years, the population of California increased from around 14,000 in 1848 to over 300,000 by 1852. This rapid population growth brought about significant changes in the cultural, social, and economic landscape of California.
