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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 2008.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, 2008: | 1 out of 51 |
| Percent foreign born in the total population, 2008: | 1 out of 51 |
| Numeric change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2008: | 1 out of 51 |
| Percent change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2008: | 43 out of 51 |
Data Highlights
For data on these topics click on the link:
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Population
The foreign-born population (or immigrants; we use
these terms interchangeably) of California changed by 11.2 percent
between 2000 and 2008.
Between 2000 and 2008, the foreign-born population in California changed
from 8,864,255 to 9,859,027, representing a change of 11.2 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 37,960,935 ( 22.0 percent) between 2000 and 2008.
In 2008, the foreign born represented 26.8 percent of
California's
total population.
In 2008, 26.8 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 12.5 percent of the total population in 2008, compared to 11.1 percent in 2000 and 7.9 percent in 1990.
Of the total immigrant population in California, 27.2 percent entered
during the 1990s, and 24.0 percent entered in 2000 or later.
Of the foreign-born population resident in California in 2008, 23.7
percent entered the country prior to 1980, 25.1 percent between 1980 and 1989,
27.2 percent between 1990 and 1999, and 24.0 percent in 2000 or later.
Nationally, 21.8 percent of the foreign-born population entered the country before 1980, 20.1 percent during the 1980s, 28.6 percent during the 1990s, and 29.5 percent in 2000 or later.
The largest share of the foreign-born population in California were from Latin America .
Of the total foreign-born population in California in 2008, 1.5 percent
were from Africa, 34.8 percent from Asia, 6.9 percent from Europe, 54.6 percent from
Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), 1.4
percent from Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and
Miquelon), and 0.8 percent from Oceania.
At the national level, 3.8 percent were from Africa, 27.3 percent from Asia, 13.1 percent from Europe, 53.1 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
2008, 43.2 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 2008 were Mexico (30.1 percent), the Philippines (4.4 percent), and India (4.3 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.In California, 44.6 percent of the foreign born were citizens in 2008.
The 2008 American Community Survey reported that 4,396,790, or 44.6 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 26.6 percent
in the size of the foreign-born citizen population between 2000 and 2008.
Nationally, 40.3 percent of the foreign-born population were citizens in 2000, and 43.0 percent were citizens in 2008.
In California, 75.6 percent of the immigrants who entered before 1980 were citizens,
compared to 10.1 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
Among the foreign-born population in California in 2008, 75.6 percent
of those who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 57.1
percent who entered during the 1980s, 36.4 percent who entered during the 1990s,
and 10.1 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 59.6 percent who entered during the 1980s, 38.1 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 10.2 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
In California, 50.1 percent of the immigrant population were female in 2008,
and 49.9 percent male.
Of the total foreign-born population in California in 2008, 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, 49.9 percent of the foreign born were female and 50.1 percent male.
Immigrants made up 1.9 percent of young children in California, 7.9 percent of
youths, 35.1 percent of working-age (18-54)
adults, and 30.9 percent
of adults age 55 and older.
In 2008, 1.9 percent of
California's
population younger than
age 5 were born abroad as were 7.9 percent of those
5 to 17; 20.4 percent of those 18 to 24; 38.7 percent of those 25 to 54; and 30.9 percent of seniors 55 and older.
Nationally, 1.3 percent of those under age 5 were foreign born, as well as 4.7 percent of those 5 to 17; 11.0 percent of those 18 to 24; 17.9 percent of those 25 to 54; and 12.4 percent of those 55 and older.
Of the immigrant population in California, 5.8 percent were minors, 69.7 percent
were of working age (18-54), and 24.4 percent were 55
and older.
In 2008, 0.5 percent of the foreign-born population in California were
under the age of 5; 5.3 percent were 5 to 17; 8.0 percent were 18 to 24; 61.7
percent were 25 to 54; and 24.4 percent were 55 or older. Among the native-born
population in California, 9.8 percent were under the age of 5; 22.9
percent were between 5 and 17; 11.4 percent were 18 to 24; 35.9 percent were 25
to 54; and 20.0 percent were 55 or older.
At the national level, 0.7 percent of the immigrant population were under 5; 6.6 percent were 5 to 17; 8.7 percent were 18 to 24; 60.3 percent were 25 to 54; and 23.7 percent were 55 or older.
In California, 30.0 percent of the foreign-born population were Asian,
1.5 percent
were black or African American, and 42.8 percent were white.
Of the foreign born in California in 2008, 42.8 percent
reported their race as white alone, 1.5 percent as
black or African American alone, 30.0 percent as Asian
alone, and 24.5 percent as some other race;
1.2 percent reported having two or
more races. Among the native-born population in California,
69.7 percent reported their race as white alone, 7.9 percent as black or African
American alone, 5.9 percent as Asian alone, 12.1 percent as some other race, and
4.4 percent as having two or more races.
At the national level, 48.9 percent of the foreign born reported their race as white alone, 8.1 percent as black or African American alone, 23.7 percent as Asian alone, and 17.8 percent as some other race; 1.5 percent reported having two or more races.
Of the foreign born in California, 53.7 percent reported Hispanic or Latino origins.
In California,
53.7 percent of immigrants reported Hispanic or Latino
origins, compared to 30.4 percent of the native born.
At the national level, 46.9 percent of the foreign born reported a Hispanic or Latino origin.
The average household size of the immigrant population in California in 2008
was 3.91 persons for those who owned their own homes and 3.49 persons for those
who rented.
The average household size of the foreign-born population in California who
owned their own homes was 3.91 persons, while the average household size
of those renting their homes was 3.49 persons. Among the native-born population
in California,
the average household size of those who owned their own homes was 2.7 persons,
while the average household size of those who rented their homes was 2.46 persons.
The share of households headed by a foreign-born person with more than one
occupant per room was 18.4 percent.
Of all households in California headed by a foreign-born person,
18.4 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, 3.1 percent had more people
than rooms in the house.
At the national level, 11.6 percent of households headed by a foreign-born person had more than one occupant per room.
Domestic and International Migration
Between 2007 and 2008, 226,417 immigrants moved to California from abroad, 75,042
immigrants relocated from other states and the District of Columbia (DC), and 87,305 immigrants
left California for another state within the United States.*
Of the 301,459 immigrant respondents (ages one and older in 2008) who moved
to California between 2007 and 2008, 75.1 percent (or 226,417 ) arrived from abroad and 24.9 percent (or 75,042 )
relocated from another state. At the same time, 87,305 immigrants moved out of
California to another area within the United States, while 8,398,982 immigrants continued
residing in the same house and 1,153,649 immigrants moved within California.
Between 2007 and 2008, 79,742 native-born residents (ages one and older) moved to California from abroad, 392,346 native born relocated from another state, 497,576 native born left California for another state, and 3,681,055 native born moved within California. The majority of native-born residents did not move ( 22,208,860 ).
Between 2007 and 2008, the total population (ages one and older) of California increased from 36,027,427 to 36,216,093 (or by 188,666) due to the net domestic out-migration of natives (-105,230), the net domestic out-migration of immigrants (-12,263), and the arrival from abroad of natives ( 79,742 ) and immigrants (226,417).
*Note: These estimates do not include people who lived in California in 2007 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2007 and 2008. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.
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In 2008, 7.4 percent of immigrant women in California had given birth in the
previous year.
Of the foreign-born women in California in 2008, 7.4 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, 5.3 percent had
given birth in the previous year. Of those, 62.4 percent were married and 37.6
percent unmarried.
At the national level, 7.6 percent of immigrant women had given birth in the previous year, including 77.0 percent who were married and 23.0 percent who were unmarried.
Children residing with at least one immigrant parent accounted
for
49.6 percent of children under age 18 in 2008, 47.3 percent
in 2000, and 38.4 percent in 1990.
Of all children under age 18 in California in 2008, 4,393,233 or 49.6 percent resided in
immigrant families (i.e., with at least one foreign-born parent).
Nationally, children with immigrant parents accounted for 23.2 percent of all children under age 18 in 2008, 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, 88.5 percent
were US citizens by birth.
In 2008, there were 3,888,230 US-born children with at least one immigrant parent in California.
They accounted for 88.5 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, 85.6 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 62.1 percent
of all children in low-income families (i.e., below 200 percent of the federal
poverty threshold) in 2008, 61.5 percent in 2000, and 53.1 percent
in 1990 in California.
In 2008, there were 3,580,213 children under age 18 who resided in families with income
below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold in California.
Of them, 62.1 percent were children with immigrant parent(s).
In comparison, children with immigrant parent(s) accounted for 29.9 percent of children in low-income families in the nation in 2008, 25.5 percent in 2000, and 16.7 percent in 1990.
Table 1. Foreign-Born Population
and World Region of Birth (1990, 2000, and 2008) |
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1. This table describes the entire population of California. 2. For 1990, 2000, and 2008, 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 2008 totals exclude those born at sea. In 2000 and 2008, 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 2008, 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, 2008 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. |
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Table 2.
Characteristics of the Foreign-Born Population in California,
20081
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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, 2008 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 |
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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 2007 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2007 and 2008. 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, 2008 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 2008) |
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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, 2008 American Community Survey (ACS). |
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