An estimated 3,394,901 people in California live with migraine.

Based on U.S. Census ACS 2023 population data and Burch et al. (2021) migraine-specific prevalence rates.

Census ACS 2023 · Burch et al. (2021) · CC BY 4.0

Patient Population by Care Level

How many patients need each level of care.

154,739
need specialist or headache program care
Complexity Levels 1–2*
575,167
need neurology-level care
Complexity Levels 3–4*
2,665,020
appropriate for primary care
Complexity Level 5*

* Care level estimates are based on a proposed patient complexity framework offered as a basis for clinical and policy discussion. See methodology →

By Congressional District

52 congressional districts in California

DistrictTotal patientsSpecialist care*Neurology care*Primary care*
CA-04104,5894,76817,71882,100
CA-30102,7404,68117,40480,649
CA-50102,2804,66417,32980,292
CA-35102,0454,65117,28980,106
CA-46101,9414,64817,27080,027
CA-39101,8644,64117,25979,964
CA-37101,7074,63517,23079,842
CA-16101,6444,63217,22079,792
CA-22101,4504,62717,18779,640
CA-29100,9134,60017,09679,218
CA-12100,8034,59417,07779,132
CA-1199,8044,55116,90978,347
CA-3699,3394,52816,82977,982
CA-3498,9944,51116,77077,710
CA-4898,4594,49016,67977,288
CA-0698,2644,47916,64577,138
CA-4797,7934,45616,57176,766
CA-2496,5204,40016,35375,775
CA-4396,3774,39116,33075,657
CA-4295,9184,37316,25375,294
CA-2195,8254,36816,23375,221
CA-4495,1914,33816,12774,725
CA-1095,0154,33216,09974,585
CA-3194,7674,32016,05774,393
CA-5294,7574,31716,05474,385
CA-1794,5154,30616,01574,193
CA-0894,0394,28815,93273,819
CA-0793,8474,27615,89973,669
CA-1493,7974,27315,89073,633
CA-2793,7134,27215,87673,567
CA-4093,1514,24615,78173,123
CA-3393,0594,24215,76673,047
CA-0992,6864,22415,70472,759
CA-0192,6644,22015,70072,741
CA-2692,5194,21715,67372,628
CA-4992,3384,21015,64472,486
CA-1892,3154,20815,63972,470
CA-1992,2884,20415,63772,449
CA-3892,0994,19915,60572,298
CA-4591,9884,19115,58572,212
CA-2591,8134,18515,55672,078
CA-1591,7614,18315,54472,032
CA-0591,4824,17115,49771,814
CA-0291,3754,16415,47871,739
CA-2891,1414,15615,44071,548
CA-5190,8644,14115,39571,331
CA-1389,0944,06215,09569,937
CA-2387,4493,98714,81668,649
CA-3286,6283,94914,67768,005
CA-4184,2333,84014,27266,122
CA-0383,2373,79814,10165,348
CA-2076,0043,46512,87759,660

* Care level estimates are based on a proposed patient complexity framework offered as a basis for clinical and policy discussion. See methodology →

Headache Centers & Programs

11 headache centers and programs in California

Headache Centers — Level 1

UCLA Goldberg Migraine Program

Los Angeles, CA

25 providers · 9 UCNS-certified

www.uclahealth.org/locations/300-medical-plaza?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Yext

UCSF Headache Center — Mount Zion

San Francisco, CA

10 providers · 3 UCNS-certified

nyulangone.org/doctors/1093169757/sarah-m-bobker

Headache Programs — Level 2

California Headache and Balance Center

Encino, CA

1 providers · 1 UCNS-certified

caheadache.com

East Bay Neurology — Headache Center

San Ramon, CA

4 providers · 2 UCNS-certified

www.eastbayneurology.com

Fullerton Neurology and Headache Center

Fullerton, CA

2 providers · 1 UCNS-certified

www.fullertonneuro.com

Irvine Headache Care

Irvine, CA

1 providers · 1 UCNS-certified

www.irvineheadache.com

Keck Medicine of USC — Neurology

Los Angeles, CA

16 providers · 9 UCNS-certified

headache.keckmedicine.org

Scripps Health — Headache Program

La Jolla, CA

4 providers · 4 UCNS-certified

www.scripps.org/services/neurology/headache-and-migraine-care

The Neurology Center of Southern California — Headache Program

Carlsbad, CA

13 providers · 3 UCNS-certified

www.neurologycentersc.com/headache

UC Irvine Health — Neurology

Orange, CA

11 providers · 3 UCNS-certified

www.ucihealth.org/medical-services/neurology/headache

UC San Diego Health Neurology

San Diego, CA

16 providers · 6 UCNS-certified

health.ucsd.edu/specialties/neuro/divisions/headache/pages/default.aspx

Provider counts reflect headache program providers only — not all neurologists at the same address. UCNS certification verified against the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties diplomate directory.

More Data Coming

Building a complete picture.

Coming September 2026

Payer Policy Data

What insurers in California require before authorizing CGRP-targeting therapies — step therapy requirements, formulary placements, and Gold Card law status.

Coming Fall 2026

Prescribing Gap Analysis

How many primary care physicians actively treating migraine patients in California have never prescribed a CGRP-targeting therapy — by metro area and congressional district.

Doty A. California Headache Disorder Population Estimates. The Headache Vault; 2026. headachevault.com/research/states/california Licensed CC BY 4.0.
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