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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 2011.

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, 2011: 1 out of 51
Percent foreign born in the total population, 2011: 1 out of 51
Numeric change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: 1 out of 51
Percent change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: 48 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 15.0 percent between 2000 and 2011.
Between 2000 and 2011, the foreign-born population in California changed from 8,864,255 to 10,195,057, representing a change of 15.0 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 40,377,860 ( 29.8 percent) between 2000 and 2011.

In 2011, the foreign born represented 27.0 percent of California's total population.
In 2011, 27.0 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 13.0 percent of the total population in 2011, compared to 11.1 percent in 2000 and 7.9 percent in 1990.

Of the total immigrant population in California, 25.9 percent entered during the 1990s, and 28.5 percent entered in 2000 or later.
Of the foreign-born population resident in California in 2011, 21.8 percent entered the country prior to 1980, 23.8 percent between 1980 and 1989, 25.9 percent between 1990 and 1999, and 28.5 percent in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 19.3 percent of the foreign-born population entered the country before 1980, 18.3 percent during the 1980s, 26.7 percent during the 1990s, and 35.7 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 2011, 1.6 percent were from Africa, 36.6 percent from Asia, 6.5 percent from Europe, 53.4 percent from Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), 1.2 percent from Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon), and 0.8 percent from Oceania.

At the national level, 4.1 percent were from Africa, 28.6 percent from Asia, 12.1 percent from Europe, 52.6 percent from Latin America, 2.0 percent from Northern America, and 0.5 percent from Oceania.

The top three countries of birth of the foreign born in California were mexico, philippines, and china.*
Of the total immigrant population in California in 2011, 41.8 percent were born in mexico, 8.0 percent in philippines, and 5.8 percent in china. 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 2011 were mexico (28.9 percent), india (4.6 percent), and china (4.6 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. "China" refers to China and Hong Kong, but not Taiwan. The 1990 data on the countries of birth reflect geographic boundaries as of 1990.

US Citizenship Status

In California, 46.8 percent of the foreign born were US citizens in 2011.
The 2011 American Community Survey reported that 4,771,515, or 46.8 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 37.4 percent in the size of the foreign-born citizen population between 2000 and 2011.

Nationally, 40.3 percent of the foreign-born population were citizens in 2000, and 44.9 percent were citizens in 2011.

In California, 76.8 percent of the immigrants who entered before 1980 were citizens, compared to 15.4 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
Among the foreign-born population in California in 2011, 76.8 percent of those who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 61.7 percent who entered during the 1980s, 42.4 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 15.4 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 79.8 percent of the foreign-born population who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 64.2 percent who entered during the 1980s, 45.1 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 16.1 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Gender and Age

In California, 51.4 percent of the immigrant population were female in 2011, and 48.6 percent male.
Of the total foreign-born population in California in 2011, 51.4 percent were female and 48.6 percent male, compared to 49.8 percent female and 50.2 percent male among the native born.

At the national level, 51.1 percent of the foreign born were female and 48.9 percent male.

Immigrants made up 1.7 percent of young children in California, 7.0 percent of youths, 34.7 percent of working-age (18-54) adults, and 32.6 percent of adults age 55 and older.
In 2011, 1.7 percent of California's population younger than age 5 were born abroad as were 7.0 percent of those 5 to 17; 18.0 percent of those 18 to 24; 38.8 percent of those 25 to 54; and 32.6 percent of seniors 55 and older.

Nationally, 1.2 percent of those under age 5 were foreign born, as well as 4.5 percent of those 5 to 17; 10.8 percent of those 18 to 24; 18.9 percent of those 25 to 54; and 13.0 percent of those 55 and older.

Of the immigrant population in California, 5.1 percent were minors, 67.3 percent were of working age (18-54), and 27.6 percent were 55 and older.
In 2011, 0.4 percent of the foreign-born population in California were under the age of 5; 4.7 percent were 5 to 17; 7.0 percent were 18 to 24; 60.3 percent were 25 to 54; and 27.6 percent were 55 or older. Among the native-born population in California, 9.1 percent were under the age of 5; 22.8 percent were between 5 and 17; 11.9 percent were 18 to 24; 35.2 percent were 25 to 54; and 21.1 percent were 55 or older.

At the national level, 0.6 percent of the immigrant population were under 5; 5.9 percent were 5 to 17; 8.3 percent were 18 to 24; 59.5 percent were 25 to 54; and 25.6 percent were 55 or older.

Race and Hispanic Origin

In California, 31.3 percent of the foreign-born population were Asian, 1.5 percent were black or African American, and 44.8 percent were white.
Of the foreign born in California in 2011, 44.8 percent reported their race as white alone, 1.5 percent as black or African American alone, 31.3 percent as Asian alone, and 19.5 percent as some other race; 2.2 percent reported having two or more races. Among the native-born population in California, 69.6 percent reported their race as white alone, 7.6 percent as black or African American alone, 6.5 percent as Asian alone, 10.0 percent as some other race, and 5.0 percent as having two or more races.

At the national level, 48.3 percent of the foreign born reported their race as white alone, 8.4 percent as black or African American alone, 24.8 percent as Asian alone, and 15.5 percent as some other race; 2.5 percent reported having two or more races.

Of the foreign born in California, 52.5 percent reported Hispanic or Latino origins.
In California, 52.5 percent of immigrants reported Hispanic or Latino origins, compared to 32.8 percent of the native born.

At the national level, 46.6 percent of the foreign born reported a Hispanic or Latino origin.

Household

The average household size of the immigrant population in California in 2011 was 3.89 persons for those who owned their own homes and 3.57 persons for those who rented.
The average household size of the foreign-born population in California who owned their own homes was 3.89 persons, while the average household size of those renting their homes was 3.57 persons. Among the native-born population in California, the average household size of those who owned their own homes was 2.66 persons, while the average household size of those who rented their homes was 2.52 persons.

The share of households headed by a foreign-born person with more than one occupant per room was 18.6 percent.
Of all households in California headed by a foreign-born person, 18.6 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, 3.5 percent had more people than rooms in the house.

At the national level, 12.1 percent of households headed by a foreign-born person had more than one occupant per room.

Domestic and International Migration

Between 2010 and 2011, 193,702 immigrants moved to California from abroad, 76,988 immigrants relocated from other states and the District of Columbia (DC), and 86,187 immigrants left California for another state within the United States.*
Of the 270,690 immigrant respondents (ages one and older in 2011) who moved to California between 2010 and 2011, 71.6 percent (or 193,702) arrived from abroad and 28.4 percent (or 76,988) relocated from another state. At the same time, 86,187 immigrants moved out of California to another area within the United States, while 8,678,710 immigrants continued residing in the same house and 1,241,601 immigrants moved within California.

Between 2010 and 2011, 76,070 native-born residents (ages one and older) moved to California from abroad, 391,440 native born relocated from another state, 476,156 native born left California for another state, and 4,029,567 native born moved within California. The majority of native-born residents did not move (22,534,600).

Between 2010 and 2011, the total population (ages one and older) of California increased from 37,046,821 to 37,222,678 (or by 175,857) due to the net domestic out-migration of natives (-84,716), the net domestic out-migration of immigrants (-9,199), and the arrival from abroad of natives (76,070) and immigrants (193,702).

*Note: These estimates do not include people who lived in California in 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.

For details, see Table 3

What Was the Poverty Threshold in 2011?
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 US Census Bureau, the average poverty threshold for a family of four 2011 was $23,021; for a family of three, $17,916; for a family of two, $14,657; and for an unrelated individual, $11,484. 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 2011, 6.1 percent of immigrant women in California had given birth in the previous year.
Of the foreign-born women in California in 2011, 6.1 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those who had given birth, 76.0 percent were married, and 24.0 percent were not married (including those who were divorced or widowed). Among native-born women in California, 5.1 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those, 60.3 percent were married and 39.7 percent unmarried.

At the national level, 6.8 percent of immigrant women had given birth in the previous year, including 76.4 percent who were married and 23.6 percent who were unmarried.

Children residing with at least one immigrant parent accounted for 49.6 percent of children under age 18 in 2011, 47.3 percent in 2000, and 38.4 percent in 1990.
Of all children under age 18 in California in 2011, 4,381,459 or 49.6 percent resided in immigrant families (i.e., with at least one foreign-born parent).

Nationally, children with immigrant parents accounted for 24.3 percent of all children under age 18 in 2011, 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, 89.5 percent were US citizens by birth.
In 2011, there were 3,920,614 US-born children with at least one immigrant parent in California. They accounted for 89.5 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, 87.1 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 59.9 percent of all children in low-income families (i.e., below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold) in 2011, 61.5 percent in 2000, and 53.1 percent in 1990 in California.
In 2011, there were 4,145,117 children under age 18 who resided in families with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold in California. Of them, 59.9 percent were children with immigrant parent(s).

In comparison, children with immigrant parent(s) accounted for 30.5 percent of children in low-income families in the nation in 2011, 25.5 percent in 2000, and 16.7 percent in 1990.



Table 1. Foreign-Born Population and World Region of Birth (1990, 2000, and 2011)
1990
2000
2011
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Total Population of California1 29,760,021 100.0 33,871,648 100.0 37,691,912 100.0
Native born 23,301,196 78.3 25,007,393 73.8 27,496,855 73.0
Foreign born 6,458,825 21.7 8,864,255 26.2 10,195,057 27.0
Not a citizen 4,441,215 14.9 5,390,989 15.9 5,423,542 14.4
Naturalized citizen 2,017,610 6.8 3,473,266 10.3 4,771,515 12.7
Foreign-Born Population of California2 6,194,042 100.0 8,864,188 100.0 10,195,057 100.0
Born in Europe 672,264 10.9 696,578 7.9 662,643 6.5
Born in Asia 2,000,601 32.3 2,918,642 32.9 3,735,292 36.6
Born in Africa 65,864 1.1 113,255 1.3 160,161 1.6
Born in Oceania 44,876 0.7 67,131 0.8 77,152 0.8
Born in Latin America 3,259,414 52.6 4,926,803 55.6 5,439,653 53.4
Born in Northern America 151,023 2.4 141,779 1.6 120,156 1.2
 
 
Change 1990 to 2000
Change 1990 to 2011
Change 2000 to 2011
 
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Total Population of California1 4,111,627 13.8 7,931,891 26.7 3,820,264 11.3
Native born 1,706,197 7.3 4,195,659 18.0 2,489,462 10.0
Foreign born 2,405,430 37.2 3,736,232 57.8 1,330,802 15.0
Not a citizen 949,774 21.4 982,327 22.1 32,553 0.6
Naturalized citizen 1,455,656 72.1 2,753,905 136.5 1,298,249 37.4
Foreign-Born Population of California2 2,670,146 43.1 4,001,015 64.6 1,330,869 15.0
Born in Europe 24,314 3.6 -9,621 -1.4 -33,935 -4.9
Born in Asia 918,041 45.9 1,734,691 86.7 816,650 28.0
Born in Africa 47,391 72.0 94,297 143.2 46,906 41.4
Born in Oceania 22,255 49.6 32,276 71.9 10,021 14.9
Born in Latin America 1,667,389 51.2 2,180,239 66.9 512,850 10.4
Born in Northern America -9,244 -6.1 -30,867 -20.4 -21,623 -15.3
Notes:
1. This table describes the entire population of California.
2. For 1990, 2000, and 2011, 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 2011 totals exclude those born at sea. In 2000 and 2011, 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 2011, 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, 2011 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, 20111
  Number Percent
PERIOD OF ENTRY BY WORLD REGION OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,195,057 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 2,905,615 28.5
Entered 1990 to 1999 2,641,447 25.9
Entered 1980 to 1989 2,423,030 23.8
Entered before 1980 2,224,965 21.8
Born in Europe 662,643 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 156,697 23.6
Entered 1990 to 1999 153,333 23.1
Entered 1980 to 1989 90,619 13.7
Entered before 1980 261,994 39.5
Born in Asia 3,735,292 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 1,179,414 31.6
Entered 1990 to 1999 920,802 24.7
Entered 1980 to 1989 932,110 25.0
Entered before 1980 702,966 18.8
Born in Mexico 4,263,083 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 1,122,826 26.3
Entered 1990 to 1999 1,218,922 28.6
Entered 1980 to 1989 1,002,221 23.5
Entered before 1980 919,114 21.6
Born in Other Parts of Latin America 1,176,570 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 326,942 27.8
Entered 1990 to 1999 267,495 22.7
Entered 1980 to 1989 338,852 28.8
Entered before 1980 243,281 20.7
Born in Other Areas2 357,469 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 119,736 33.5
Entered 1990 to 1999 80,895 22.6
Entered 1980 to 1989 59,228 16.6
Entered before 1980 97,610 27.3
CITIZENSHIP STATUS BY PERIOD OF ENTRY    
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,195,057 100.0
Not a citizen 5,423,542 53.2
Naturalized citizen 4,771,515 46.8
Entered in 2000 or after 2,905,615 100.0
Not a citizen 2,456,902 84.6
Naturalized citizen 448,713 15.4
Entered 1990 to 1999 2,641,447 100.0
Not a citizen 1,521,617 57.6
Naturalized citizen 1,119,830 42.4
Entered 1980 to 1989 2,423,030 100.0
Not a citizen 927,733 38.3
Naturalized citizen 1,495,297 61.7
Entered before 1980 2,224,965 100.0
Not a citizen 517,290 23.2
Naturalized citizen 1,707,675 76.8
GENDER    
Total Native-Born Population 27,496,855 100.0
Male 13,793,001 50.2
Female 13,703,854 49.8
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,195,057 100.0
Male 4,957,691 48.6
Female 5,237,366 51.4
MARITAL STATUS    
Total Native-Born Population Age 15 or Older 20,210,753 100.0
Never married 8,453,408 41.8
Now married (not separated) 8,114,998 40.2
Separated 405,481 2.0
Divorced 2,226,027 11.0
Widowed 1,010,839 5.0
Total Foreign-Born Population Age 15 or Older 9,851,637 100.0
Never married 2,462,627 25.0
Now married (not separated) 5,852,233 59.4
Separated 302,342 3.1
Divorced 693,145 7.0
Widowed 541,290 5.5
NATIVITY BY AGE    
Total Population 37,691,912 100.0
Under 5 2,533,655 100.0
Native born 2,490,238 98.3
Foreign born 43,417 1.7
5 to 17 6,733,781 100.0
Native born 6,259,352 93.0
Foreign born 474,429 7.0
18 to 24 3,980,604 100.0
Native born 3,264,141 82.0
Foreign born 716,463 18.0
25 to 54 15,827,589 100.0
Native born 9,679,729 61.2
Foreign born 6,147,860 38.8
55 and Older 8,616,283 100.0
Native born 5,803,395 67.4
Foreign born 2,812,888 32.6
MEDIAN AGE5    
Total Native-Born Population    
Median age 29.5 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Median age 43.8 --
RACE    
Total Native-Born Population 27,496,855 100.0
One race 26,129,158 95.0
White 19,133,852 69.6
Black or African American 2,099,886 7.6
American Indian and Alaska Native 258,576 0.9
Asian 1,776,299 6.5
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 108,582 0.4
Some other race 2,751,963 10.0
Two or more races 1,367,697 5.0
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,195,057 100.0
One race 9,968,747 97.8
White 4,564,541 44.8
Black or African American 154,019 1.5
American Indian and Alaska Native 31,021 0.3
Asian 3,194,328 31.3
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 38,312 0.4
Some other race 1,986,526 19.5
Two or more races 226,310 2.2
HISPANIC ORIGIN    
Total Native-Born Population 27,496,855 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 9,007,887 32.8
White, not Hispanic or Latino 13,577,538 49.4
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,195,057 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 5,351,613 52.5
White, not Hispanic or Latino 1,339,615 13.1
HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY SIZE5    
Total Native-Born Population 27,496,855  
Average household size 2.60 --
Average family size 3.23 --
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,195,057  
Average household size 3.72 --
Average family size 4.10 --
HOUSEHOLD SIZE BY HOUSING TENURE5    
Total Native-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.66 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.52 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.89 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.57 --
Not a Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 4.43 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.94 --
Naturalized Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.71 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.02 --
HOUSEHOLD TYPE5    
Total Native-Born Population 27,496,855 --
In married couple family household -- 56.8
In other household type -- 40.7
Total Foreign-Born Population 10,195,057 --
In married couple family household -- 63.8
In other household type -- 34.9
FERTILITY    
Total Native-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 6,408,977 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 326,778 5.1
Married (including spouse absent) 196,964 3.1
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 129,814 2.0
Total Foreign-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 3,133,347 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 191,944 6.1
Married (including spouse absent) 145,900 4.7
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 46,044 1.5
REGION/COUNTRY OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population3 10,195,057 100.0
Europe 662,643 6.5
Northern Europe 170,340 1.7
United Kingdom 117,474 1.2
United Kingdom, excluding England 54,498 0.5
England 62,976 0.6
Ireland 20,511 0.2
Other Northern Europe 32,355 0.3
Western Europe 154,709 1.5
France 32,427 0.3
Germany 82,901 0.8
Other Western Europe 39,381 0.4
Southern Europe 89,996 0.9
Italy 31,928 0.3
Portugal 29,454 0.3
Other Southern Europe 28,614 0.3
Eastern Europe 246,704 2.4
Poland 21,101 0.2
Russia 62,369 0.6
Other Eastern Europe 163,234 1.6
Europe, n.e.c.4 894 0.0
Asia 3,735,292 36.6
Eastern Asia 1,199,795 11.8
China 760,695 7.5
China, excluding Taiwan 595,544 5.8
Taiwan 165,151 1.6
Japan 101,219 1.0
Korea 334,462 3.3
Other Eastern Asia 3,419 0.0
South Central Asia 697,565 6.8
India 380,703 3.7
Iran 198,752 1.9
Other South Central Asia 118,110 1.2
Southeastern Asia 1,574,206 15.4
Philippines 811,910 8.0
Vietnam 485,294 4.8
Other Southeastern Asia 277,002 2.7
Western Asia 258,239 2.5
Israel 30,730 0.3
Lebanon 28,852 0.3
Other Western Asia 198,657 1.9
Asia, n.e.c. 4 5,487 0.1
Africa 160,161 1.6
Eastern Africa 51,606 0.5
Northern Africa 45,428 0.4
Western Africa 32,665 0.3
Middle and Southern Africa 21,308 0.2
Africa, n.e.c. 4 9,154 0.1
Oceania 77,152 0.8
Australia and New Zealand Subregion 26,113 0.3
Oceania, n.e.c. 4 51,039 0.5
Americas 5,559,809 54.5
Latin America 5,439,653 53.4
Caribbean 68,448 0.7
Cuba 34,184 0.3
Jamaica 14,365 0.1
Other Caribbean 19,899 0.2
Central America 5,130,381 50.3
Mexico 4,263,083 41.8
El Salvador 431,117 4.2
Other Central America 436,181 4.3
South America 240,824 2.4
Brazil 30,433 0.3
Colombia 35,976 0.4
Other South America 174,415 1.7
Northern America 120,156 1.2
Canada 119,487 1.2
Other Northern America 669 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.
5. For Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia the data are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming the data are from 2007-2011 ACS. For the United States and the rest of the states the data are from 2011 ACS.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2011 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 (2010) 37,046,821  
Population residing in the area in 2011 37,222,678  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 31,213,310  
Moved within California 5,271,168  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 175,857  
Moved from California to another state 562,343  
Moved to California 738,200 100.0
Moved to California from abroad 269,772 36.5
Moved to California from another state 468,428 63.5
Native-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 27,040,323  
Population residing in the area in 2011 27,031,677  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 22,534,600  
Moved within California 4,029,567  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: -8,646  
Moved from California to another state 476,156  
Moved to California 467,510 100.0
Moved to California from abroad 76,070 16.3
Moved to California from another state 391,440 83.7
Foreign-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 10,006,498  
Population residing in the area in 2011 10,191,001  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 8,678,710  
Moved within California 1,241,601  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 184,503  
Moved from California to another state 86,187  
Moved to California 270,690 100.0
Moved to California from abroad 193,702 71.6
Moved to California from another state 76,988 28.4
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 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. 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, American Community Survey 2011.
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 2011)
1990
2000
2011
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Children under age 18 with 7,339,599 100.0 8,665,495 100.0 8,830,346 100.0
Only native parent(s) 4,518,986 61.6 4,562,505 52.7 4,448,887 50.4
One or more foreign-born parents 2,820,613 38.4 4,102,990 47.3 4,381,459 49.6
Child is native 2,065,919 28.1 3,350,480 38.7 3,920,614 44.4
Child is foreign born 754,694 10.3 752,510 8.7 460,845 5.2
Children under age 6 with 2,721,307 100.0 2,802,560 100.0 2,943,221 100.0
Only native parent(s) 1,688,217 62.0 1,451,874 51.8 1,564,796 53.2
One or more foreign-born parents 1,033,090 38.0 1,350,686 48.2 1,378,425 46.8
Child is native 901,882 33.1 1,246,648 44.5 1,326,857 45.1
Child is foreign born 131,208 4.8 104,038 3.7 51,568 1.8
Children between ages 6 and 17 with 4,618,292 100.0 5,862,935 100.0 5,887,125 100.0
Only native parent(s) 2,830,769 61.3 3,110,631 53.1 2,884,091 49.0
One or more foreign-born parents 1,787,523 38.7 2,752,304 46.9 3,003,034 51.0
Child is native 1,164,037 25.2 2,103,832 35.9 2,593,757 44.1
Child is foreign born 623,486 13.5 648,472 11.1 409,277 7.0
Children under age 18 in low-income families with 2,844,587 100.0 3,618,200 100.0 4,145,117 100.0
Only native parents 1,333,615 46.9 1,391,962 38.5 1,661,996 40.1
One or more foreign-born parents 1,510,972 53.1 2,226,238 61.5 2,483,121 59.9
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], 2011); US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS).