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CALIFORNIA
Social & Demographic Characteristics

Other facts sheets for California:

The data below describe the state rankings and selected characteristics of the immigrant and native-born populations in California in 2007.

Rankings
The following shows California's rankings in several categories. (All rankings include the 50 states and the District of Columbia and are ranked highest to lowest.)
  Rankings
Size of the foreign-born population, 2007: 1 out of 51
Percent foreign born in the total population, 2007: 1 out of 51
Numeric change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2007: 1 out of 51
Percent change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2007: 44 out of 51

Data Highlights
For data on these topics click on the link:
Who are the foreign born?
The term foreign born refers to people residing in the United States at the time of the census who were not US citizens at birth. The foreign-born population includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent immigrants, refugees and asylees, legal nonimmigrants (including those on student, work, or other temporary visas), and persons residing in the country without authorization. By comparison, the term native refers to people residing in the United States who were US citizens in one of three categories: 1) people born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; 2) people born in United States Insular Areas such as Puerto Rico or Guam; or 3) people who were born abroad to at least one US citizen parent.

We use the terms immigrants and foreign born interchangeably.

Population

The foreign-born population (or immigrants; we use these terms interchangeably) of California changed by 13.1 percent between 2000 and 2007.
Between 2000 and 2007, the foreign-born population in California changed from 8,864,255 to 10,024,352, representing a change of 13.1 percent. In comparison, the foreign-born population changed from 6,458,825 to 8,864,255 between 1990 and 2000, a difference of 37.2 percent.

At the national level, the foreign-born population increased from 19,767,316 to 31,107,889 between 1990 and 2000, representing a change of 57.4 percent, and grew from 31,107,889 to 38,059,694 ( 22.3 percent) between 2000 and 2007.

In 2007, the foreign born represented 27.4 percent of California's total population.
In 2007, 27.4 percent of California's total population were immigrants, compared to 26.2 percent in 2000 and 21.7 percent in 1990.

At the national level, the foreign-born population represented 12.6 percent of the total population in 2007, compared to 11.1 percent in 2000 and 7.9 percent in 1990.

Of the total immigrant population in California, 27.7 percent entered during the 1990s, and 22.2 percent entered in 2000 or later.
Of the foreign-born population resident in California in 2007, 24.0 percent entered the country prior to 1980, 26.0 percent between 1980 and 1989, 27.7 percent between 1990 and 1999, and 22.2 percent in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 22.3 percent of the foreign-born population entered the country before 1980, 20.6 percent during the 1980s, 29.4 percent during the 1990s, and 27.7 percent in 2000 or later.

Place of Origin

The largest share of the foreign-born population in California were from Latin America.
Of the total foreign-born population in California in 2007, 1.4 percent were from Africa, 34.2 percent from Asia, 6.6 percent from Europe, 55.6 percent from Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), 1.3 percent from Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon), and 0.8 percent from Oceania.

At the national level, 3.7 percent were from Africa, 26.8 percent from Asia, 13.1 percent from Europe, 53.6 percent from Latin America, 2.2 percent from Northern America, and 0.6 percent from Oceania.

The top three countries of birth of the foreign born in California were Mexico, the Philippines, and China (excluding Taiwan).*
Of the total immigrant population in California in 2007, 44.2 percent were born in Mexico, 8.0 percent in the Philippines, and 5.1 percent in China (excluding Taiwan). In contrast, the top three countries of birth in 1990 were Mexico (38.0 percent), the Philippines (7.5 percent), and El Salvador (4.4 percent).

At the national level, the top three countries of birth in 2007 were Mexico (30.8 percent), the Philippines (4.5 percent), and China (excluding Taiwan) (4.1 percent). The top three countries of birth in 1990 were Mexico (21.7 percent), the Philippines (4.6 percent), and Canada (3.8 percent).

*Note: These are the largest countries of birth reported by the Census Bureau. Some countries are only listed as part of a larger geographic region. For example, those born in Somalia are included only among those born in Eastern Africa. Therefore, a few states may have larger populations of foreign-born persons born in countries not listed individually in census data. The 1990 data on the countries of birth reflect geographic boundaries as of 1990.

Citizenship Status

In California, 43.6 percent of the foreign born were citizens in 2007.
The 2007 American Community Survey reported that 4,371,545, or 43.6 percent, of the foreign-born population in California were citizens, compared to 3,473,266, or 39.2 percent, in 2000. This represents a change of 25.9 percent in the size of the foreign-born citizen population between 2000 and 2007.

Nationally, 40.3 percent of the foreign-born population were citizens in 2000, and 42.5 percent were citizens in 2007.

In California, 74.9 percent of the immigrants who entered before 1980 were citizens, compared to 8.3 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
Among the foreign-born population in California in 2007, 74.9 percent of those who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 55.6 percent who entered during the 1980s, 33.5 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 8.3 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 78.6 percent of the foreign-born population who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 58.9 percent who entered during the 1980s, 35.3 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 8.9 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Gender and Age

In California, 50.1 percent of the immigrant population were female in 2007, and 49.9 percent male.
Of the total foreign-born population in California in 2007, 50.1 percent were female and 49.9 percent male, compared to 49.9 percent female and 50.1 percent male among the native born.

At the national level, 49.7 percent of the foreign born were female and 50.3 percent male.

Immigrants made up 2.0 percent of young children in California, 8.5 percent of youths, 36.1 percent of working-age (18-54) adults, and 30.8 percent of adults age 55 and older.
In 2007, 2.0 percent of California's population younger than age 5 were born abroad as were 8.5 percent of those 5 to 17; 23.0 percent of those 18 to 24; 39.2 percent of those 25 to 54; and 30.8 percent of seniors 55 and older.

Nationally, 1.4 percent of those under age 5 were foreign born, as well as 5.0 percent of those 5 to 17; 11.7 percent of those 18 to 24; 18.0 percent of those 25 to 54; and 12.2 percent of those 55 and older.

Of the immigrant population in California, 6.2 percent were minors, 70.5 percent were of working age (18-54), and 23.2 percent were 55 and older.
In 2007, 0.5 percent of the foreign-born population in California were under the age of 5; 5.7 percent were 5 to 17; 8.8 percent were 18 to 24; 61.7 percent were 25 to 54; and 23.2 percent were 55 or older. Among the native-born population in California, 9.8 percent were under the age of 5; 23.2 percent were between 5 and 17; 11.1 percent were 18 to 24; 36.1 percent were 25 to 54; and 19.7 percent were 55 or older.

At the national level, 0.8 percent of the immigrant population were under 5; 7.0 percent were 5 to 17; 9.2 percent were 18 to 24; 60.4 percent were 25 to 54; and 22.7 percent were 55 or older.

Race and Hispanic Origin

In California, 29.6 percent of the foreign-born population were Asian, 1.4 percent were black or African American, and 40.3 percent were white.
Of the foreign born in California in 2007, 40.3 percent reported their race as white alone, 1.4 percent as black or African American alone, 29.6 percent as Asian alone, and 27.7 percent as some other race; 1.1 percent reported having two or more races. Among the native-born population in California, 67.8 percent reported their race as white alone, 8.0 percent as black or African American alone, 5.8 percent as Asian alone, 14.0 percent as some other race, and 4.3 percent as having two or more races.

At the national level, 45.7 percent of the foreign born reported their race as white alone, 7.8 percent as black or African American alone, 23.4 percent as Asian alone, and 21.8 percent as some other race; 1.3 percent reported having two or more races.

Of the foreign born in California, 54.6 percent reported Hispanic or Latino origins.
In California, 54.6 percent of immigrants reported Hispanic or Latino origins, compared to 29.2 percent of the native born.

At the national level, 47.5 percent of the foreign born reported a Hispanic or Latino origin.

Household

The average household size of the immigrant population in California in 2007 was 3.90 persons for those who owned their own homes and 3.50 persons for those who rented.
The average household size of the foreign-born population in California who owned their own homes was 3.90 persons, while the average household size of those renting their homes was 3.50 persons. Among the native-born population in California, the average household size of those who owned their own homes was 2.68 persons, while the average household size of those who rented their homes was 2.40 persons.

The share of households headed by a foreign-born person with more than one occupant per room was 18.2 percent.
Of all households in California headed by a foreign-born person, 18.2 percent were households in which the number of household members exceeded the number of rooms in the house. Among households in California headed by native-born persons, 2.9 percent had more people than rooms in the house.

At the national level, 11.4 percent of households headed by a foreign-born person had more than one occupant per room.

Domestic and International Migration

Between 2006 and 2007, 224,130 immigrants moved to California from abroad, 87,266 immigrants relocated from other states and the District of Columbia (DC), and 119,198 immigrants left California for another state within the United States.*
Of the 311,396 immigrant respondents (ages one and older in 2007) who moved in to California between 2006 and 2007, 72.0 percent (or 224,130 ) arrived from abroad and 28.0 percent (or 87,266 ) relocated from another state. At the same time, 119,198 immigrants moved out of California to another area within the United States, while 8,472,948 immigrants continued residing in the same house and 1,235,377 immigrants moved within California.

Between 2006 and 2007, 64,809 native-born residents (ages one and older) moved to California from abroad, 403,792 native born relocated from another state, 547,364 native born left California for another state, and 3,584,558 native born moved within California. The majority of native-born residents did not move (21,952,194).

Between 2006 and 2007, the total population (ages one and older) of California increased from 35,911,639 to 36,025,074 (or by 113,435) due to the net domestic out-migration of natives (-143,572), the net domestic out-migration of immigrants (-31,932), and the arrival from abroad of natives (64,809) and immigrants (224,130).

*Note: These estimates do not include people who lived in California in 2006 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2006 and 2007. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.

For details, see Table 3

What Was the Poverty Threshold in 2007?
Whether any family is considered below the poverty threshold depends on the families' total income before taxes, not including any capital gains or noncash benefits, such as food stamps or housing subsidies.

The Census Bureau's poverty threshold varies depending on the number of adults and children in a family. It is adjusted each month to account for inflation. Because respondents filled out the American Community Survey in different months, the poverty threshold applied to each family depends on the month in which the survey was taken.

To give a general idea of poverty levels, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, the average poverty threshold for a family of four in 2007 was $21,203; for a family of three, $16,530; for a family of two, $13,540; and for unrelated individuals, $10,590. All members of a family are assigned the same poverty status. Poverty thresholds are the same for the whole United States, despite differences in the cost of living across US communities.
Children in Immigrant Families

In 2007, 6.7 percent of immigrant women in California had given birth in the previous year.
Of the foreign-born women in California in 2007, 6.7 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those who had given birth, 76.3 percent were married, and 23.7 percent were not married (including those who were divorced or widowed). Among native-born women in California, 4.8 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those, 62.7 percent were married and 37.3 percent unmarried.

At the national level, 7.2 percent of immigrant women had given birth in the previous year, including 77.8 percent who were married and 22.2 percent who were unmarried.

Children residing with at least one immigrant parent accounted for 50.6 percent of children under age 18 in 2007, 47.3 percent in 2000, and 38.4 percent in 1990.
Of all children under age 18 in California in 2007, 4,454,499 or 50.6 percent resided in immigrant families (i.e., with at least one foreign-born parent).

Nationally, children with immigrant parents accounted for 23.0 percent of all children under age 18 in 2007, compared to 19.1 percent in 2000 and 13.4 percent in 1990.

For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.

Of all children with immigrant parents in California, 88.0 percent were US citizens by birth.
In 2007, there were 3,918,125 US-born children with at least one immigrant parent in California. They accounted for 88.0 percent of all children with immigrant parents. The share of US-born children among children of immigrants under age 18 was 81.7 percent in 2000 and 73.2 percent in 1990.

At the national level, 84.7 percent of children with immigrant parents were US born, compared to 79.5 percent in 2000 and 77.0 percent in 1990.

For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.

Children of immigrants accounted for 64.0 percent of all children in low-income families (i.e., below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold) in 2007, 61.5 percent in 2000, and 53.1 percent in 1990 in California.
In 2007, there were 3,519,337 children under age 18 who resided in families with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold in California. Of them, 64.0 percent were children with immigrant parent(s).

In comparison, children with immigrant parent(s) accounted for 29.8 percent of children in low-income families in the nation in 2007, 25.5 percent in 2000, and 16.7 percent in 1990.



Table 1. Foreign-Born Population and World Region of Birth (1990, 2000, and 2007)
1990
2000
2007
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Total Population of California1 29,760,021 100.0 33,871,648 100.0 36,553,215 100.0
Native born 23,301,196 78.3 25,007,393 73.8 26,528,863 72.6
Foreign born 6,458,825 21.7 8,864,255 26.2 10,024,352 27.4
Not a citizen 4,441,215 14.9 5,390,989 15.9 5,652,807 15.5
Naturalized citizen 2,017,610 6.8 3,473,266 10.3 4,371,545 12.0
Foreign-Born Population of California2 6,194,042 100.0 8,864,188 100.0 10,024,352 100.0
Born in Europe 672,264 10.9 696,578 7.9 666,385 6.6
Born in Asia 2,000,601 32.3 2,918,642 32.9 3,426,374 34.2
Born in Africa 65,864 1.1 113,255 1.3 145,335 1.4
Born in Oceania 44,876 0.7 67,131 0.8 79,202 0.8
Born in Latin America 3,259,414 52.6 4,926,803 55.6 5,577,402 55.6
Born in Northern America 151,023 2.4 141,779 1.6 129,654 1.3
 
 
Change 1990 to 2000
Change 1990 to 2007
Change 2000 to 2007
 
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Total Population of California1 4,111,627 13.8 6,793,194 22.8 2,681,567 7.9
Native born 1,706,197 7.3 3,227,667 13.9 1,521,470 6.1
Foreign born 2,405,430 37.2 3,565,527 55.2 1,160,097 13.1
Not a citizen 949,774 21.4 1,211,592 27.3 261,818 4.9
Naturalized citizen 1,455,656 72.1 2,353,935 116.7 898,279 25.9
Foreign-Born Population of California2 2,670,146 43.1 3,830,310 61.8 1,160,164 13.1
Born in Europe 24,314 3.6 -5,879 -0.9 -30,193 -4.3
Born in Asia 918,041 45.9 1,425,773 71.3 507,732 17.4
Born in Africa 47,391 72.0 79,471 120.7 32,080 28.3
Born in Oceania 22,255 49.6 34,326 76.5 12,071 18.0
Born in Latin America 1,667,389 51.2 2,317,988 71.1 650,599 13.2
Born in Northern America -9,244 -6.1 -21,369 -14.1 -12,125 -8.6
Notes:
1. This table describes the entire population of California.
2. For 1990, 2000, and 2007, the total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the 1990 total excludes those who did not report a country of birth and those born at sea, while the 2000 and 2007 totals exclude those born at sea. In 2000 and 2007, individuals who did not report a country of birth were allocated a country (and region) based on various characteristics. Because of this allocation in 2000 and 2007, but not in 1990, the increase for a specific region between 1990 and 2000 is overstated by a small, but unknown, amount.
Sources: US Census Bureau, 2007 American Community Survey (ACS); US Census Bureau, 1990 Census of Population and Housing and Census 2000, click here.
For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.


Table 2. Characteristics of the Foreign-Born Population in California, 20071
  Number Percent
PERIOD OF ENTRY BY WORLD REGION OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,024,352 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 2,226,656 22.2
Entered 1990 to 1999 2,780,491 27.7
Entered 1980 to 1989 2,607,801 26.0
Entered before 1980 2,409,404 24.0
Born in Europe 666,385 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 112,967 17.0
Entered 1990 to 1999 168,086 25.2
Entered 1980 to 1989 91,403 13.7
Entered before 1980 293,929 44.1
Born in Asia 3,426,374 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 772,031 22.5
Entered 1990 to 1999 945,030 27.6
Entered 1980 to 1989 968,710 28.3
Entered before 1980 740,603 21.6
Born in Mexico 4,427,671 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 1,010,059 22.8
Entered 1990 to 1999 1,307,802 29.5
Entered 1980 to 1989 1,114,865 25.2
Entered before 1980 994,945 22.5
Born in Other Parts of Latin America 1,149,731 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 246,397 21.4
Entered 1990 to 1999 267,685 23.3
Entered 1980 to 1989 368,636 32.1
Entered before 1980 267,013 23.2
Born in Other Areas2 354,191 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 85,202 24.1
Entered 1990 to 1999 91,888 25.9
Entered 1980 to 1989 64,187 18.1
Entered before 1980 112,914 31.9
CITIZENSHIP STATUS BY PERIOD OF ENTRY    
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,024,352 100.0
Not a citizen 5,652,807 56.4
Naturalized citizen 4,371,545 43.6
Entered in 2000 or after 2,226,656 100.0
Not a citizen 2,042,104 91.7
Naturalized citizen 184,552 8.3
Entered 1990 to 1999 2,780,491 100.0
Not a citizen 1,848,085 66.5
Naturalized citizen 932,406 33.5
Entered 1980 to 1989 2,607,801 100.0
Not a citizen 1,158,323 44.4
Naturalized citizen 1,449,478 55.6
Entered before 1980 2,409,404 100.0
Not a citizen 604,295 25.1
Naturalized citizen 1,805,109 74.9
GENDER    
Total Native-Born Population 26,528,863 100.0
Male 13,279,010 50.1
Female 13,249,853 49.9
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,024,352 100.0
Male 5,002,738 49.9
Female 5,021,614 50.1
MARITAL STATUS    
Total Native-Born Population Age 15 or Older 19,237,706 100.0
Never married 7,561,059 39.3
Now married (not separated) 8,084,758 42.0
Separated 403,126 2.1
Divorced 2,148,640 11.2
Widowed 1,040,123 5.4
Total Foreign-Born Population Age 15 or Older 9,593,456 100.0
Never married 2,405,213 25.1
Now married (not separated) 5,795,983 60.4
Separated 304,946 3.2
Divorced 588,055 6.1
Widowed 499,259 5.2
NATIVITY BY AGE    
Total Population 36,553,215 100.0
Under 5 2,661,890 100.0
Native born 2,607,384 98.0
Foreign born 54,506 2.0
5 to 17 6,721,731 100.0
Native born 6,152,075 91.5
Foreign born 569,656 8.5
18 to 24 3,837,832 100.0
Native born 2,955,421 77.0
Foreign born 882,411 23.0
25 to 54 15,769,567 100.0
Native born 9,582,046 60.8
Foreign born 6,187,521 39.2
55 and Older 7,562,195 100.0
Native born 5,231,937 69.2
Foreign born 2,330,258 30.8
MEDIAN AGE    
Total Native-Born Population    
Median age 29.3 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Median age 41.1 --
RACE    
Total Native-Born Population 26,528,863 100.0
One race 25,378,523 95.7
White 17,989,703 67.8
Black or African American 2,126,549 8.0
American Indian and Alaska Native 238,250 0.9
Asian 1,545,863 5.8
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 91,446 0.3
Some other race 3,386,712 12.8
Two or more races 1,150,340 4.3
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,024,352 100.0
One race 9,912,306 98.9
White 4,037,033 40.3
Black or African American 136,814 1.4
American Indian and Alaska Native 27,801 0.3
Asian 2,965,544 29.6
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 34,899 0.3
Some other race 2,710,215 27.0
Two or more races 112,046 1.1
HISPANIC ORIGIN    
Total Native-Born Population 26,528,863 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 7,748,710 29.2
White, not Hispanic or Latino 14,173,708 53.4
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,024,352 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 5,472,178 54.6
White, not Hispanic or Latino 1,349,541 13.5
HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY SIZE    
Total Native-Born Population 26,528,863  
Average household size 2.57 --
Average family size 3.22 --
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,024,352  
Average household size 3.70 --
Average family size 4.07 --
HOUSEHOLD SIZE BY HOUSING TENURE    
Total Native-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.68 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.40 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.90 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.50 --
Not a Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 4.40 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.83 --
Naturalized Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.67 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.93 --
HOUSEHOLD TYPE    
Total Native-Born Population 26,528,863 --
In married couple family household -- 58.4
In other household type -- 38.8
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,024,352 --
In married couple family household -- 64.7
In other household type -- 33.9
FERTILITY    
Total Native-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 6,248,564 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 302,342 4.8
Married (including spouse absent) 189,587 3.0
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 112,755 1.8
Total Foreign-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 3,175,399 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 212,470 6.7
Married (including spouse absent) 162,108 5.1
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 50,362 1.6
REGION/COUNTRY OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population3 10,024,352 100.0
Europe 666,385 6.6
Northern Europe 164,723 1.6
United Kingdom 121,552 1.2
United Kingdom, excluding England 55,976 0.6
England 65,576 0.7
Ireland 19,172 0.2
Other Northern Europe 23,999 0.2
Western Europe 162,957 1.6
France 30,878 0.3
Germany 90,336 0.9
Other Western Europe 41,743 0.4
Southern Europe 91,297 0.9
Italy 34,541 0.3
Portugal 28,365 0.3
Other Southern Europe 28,391 0.3
Eastern Europe 245,609 2.5
Poland 24,405 0.2
Russia 62,394 0.6
Other Eastern Europe 158,810 1.6
Europe, n.e.c.4 1,799 0.0
Asia 3,426,374 34.2
Eastern Asia 1,124,473 11.2
China 679,298 6.8
China, excluding Taiwan 515,128 5.1
Taiwan 164,170 1.6
Japan 117,292 1.2
Korea 322,628 3.2
Other Eastern Asia 5,255 0.1
South Central Asia 574,967 5.7
India 294,202 2.9
Iran 192,202 1.9
Other South Central Asia 88,563 0.9
Southeastern Asia 1,499,062 15.0
Philippines 797,452 8.0
Vietnam 441,589 4.4
Other Southeastern Asia 260,021 2.6
Western Asia 218,509 2.2
Israel 28,482 0.3
Lebanon 36,345 0.4
Other Western Asia 153,682 1.5
Asia, n.e.c. 4 9,363 0.1
Africa 145,335 1.4
Eastern Africa 44,410 0.4
Northern Africa 42,135 0.4
Western Africa 28,736 0.3
Middle and Southern Africa 20,084 0.2
Africa, n.e.c. 4 9,970 0.1
Oceania 79,202 0.8
Australia and New Zealand Subregion 27,497 0.3
Oceania, n.e.c. 4 51,705 0.5
Americas 5,707,056 56.9
Latin America 5,577,402 55.6
Caribbean 70,401 0.7
Cuba 39,838 0.4
Jamaica 9,661 0.1
Other Caribbean 20,902 0.2
Central America 5,255,203 52.4
Mexico 4,427,671 44.2
El Salvador 428,127 4.3
Other Central America 399,405 4.0
South America 251,798 2.5
Brazil 30,162 0.3
Colombia 42,826 0.4
Other South America 178,810 1.8
Northern America 129,654 1.3
Canada 129,372 1.3
Other Northern America 282 0.0
Notes:
1. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.
2. Data on the foreign born from Africa and Oceania by period of entry are not available because the number of sample cases was too small for many states.
3. The total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the totals exclude those born at sea.
4. The abbreviation "n.e.c." stands for not elsewhere classified.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2007 American Community Survey (ACS).
For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.
For definitions used in ACS, click here.


Table 3. Domestic and International Mobility of the Native and Foreign-Born Population in California1
  Number Percent
     
Total Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2006) 35,911,639  
Population residing in the area in 2007 36,025,074  
Between 2006 and 2007    
Stayed in the same house 30,425,142  
Moved within California 4,819,935  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 113,435  
Moved from California to another state 666,562  
Moved to California 779,997 100.0
Moved to California from abroad 288,939 37.0
Moved to California from another state 491,058 63.0
Native-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2006) 26,084,116  
Population residing in the area in 2007 26,005,353  
Between 2006 and 2007    
Stayed in the same house 21,952,194  
Moved within California 3,584,558  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: -78,763  
Moved from California to another state 547,364  
Moved to California 468,601 100.0
Moved to California from abroad 64,809 13.8
Moved to California from another state 403,792 86.2
Foreign-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2006) 9,827,523  
Population residing in the area in 2007 10,019,721  
Between 2006 and 2007    
Stayed in the same house 8,472,948  
Moved within California 1,235,377  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 192,198  
Moved from California to another state 119,198  
Moved to California 311,396 100.0
Moved to California from abroad 224,130 72.0
Moved to California from another state 87,266 28.0
Notes:
1. The ACS asks if the person lived in the same house or apartment one year ago. If the respondent indicates that he or she did not live in the same house or apartment one year ago, then the city, town or post office, along with the county, state, and zip code of their residence one year ago, is requested. ACS collects data every month and asks about residence one year earlier without referencing a specific date. These estimates do not include people who lived in California in 2006 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2006 and 2007. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.
2. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.
Sources: US Census Bureau, 2007 American Community Survey (ACS).
For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.
For definitions used in ACS, click here.


Table 4. Children in Immigrant Families in California (1990, 2000, and 2007)
1990
2000
2007
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Children under age 18 with 7,339,599 100.0 8,665,495 100.0 8,807,512 100.0
Only native parent(s) 4,518,986 61.6 4,562,505 52.7 4,353,013 49.4
One or more foreign-born parents 2,820,613 38.4 4,102,990 47.3 4,454,499 50.6
Child is native 2,065,919 28.1 3,350,480 38.7 3,918,125 44.5
Child is foreign born 754,694 10.3 752,510 8.7 536,374 6.1
Children under age 6 with 2,721,307 100.0 2,802,560 100.0 2,992,956 100.0
Only native parent(s) 1,688,217 62.0 1,451,874 51.8 1,494,430 49.9
One or more foreign-born parents 1,033,090 38.0 1,350,686 48.2 1,498,526 50.1
Child is native 901,882 33.1 1,246,648 44.5 1,438,879 48.1
Child is foreign born 131,208 4.8 104,038 3.7 59,647 2.0
Children between ages 6 and 17 with 4,618,292 100.0 5,862,935 100.0 5,814,556 100.0
Only native parent(s) 2,830,769 61.3 3,110,631 53.1 2,858,583 49.2
One or more foreign-born parents 1,787,523 38.7 2,752,304 46.9 2,955,973 50.8
Child is native 1,164,037 25.2 2,103,832 35.9 2,479,246 42.6
Child is foreign born 623,486 13.5 648,472 11.1 476,727 8.2
Children under age 18 in low-income families with 2,844,587 100.0 3,618,200 100.0 3,519,337 100.0
Only native parents 1,333,615 46.9 1,391,962 38.5 1,267,044 36.0
One or more foreign-born parents 1,510,972 53.1 2,226,238 61.5 2,252,293 64.0
Notes:
1. This table refers only to children under 18 who resided with at least one parent. These figures do not include children under 18 who reside in a home with no parents.
2. Low-income families are defined as families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold.
Sources: 1990 and 2000 Decennial Census data are from Steven Ruggles, Matthew Sobek, Trent Alexander, Catherine A. Fitch, Ronald Goeken, Patricia Kelly Hall, Miriam King, and Chad Ronnander, "Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: Version 4.0" (Machine-readable database, Minnesota Population Center [producer and distributor], 2008); US Census Bureau, 2007 American Community Survey (ACS).