State hub

California State Hub

U.S. Senate and House delegation, state governor, Census demographic snapshot (income, poverty, diversity, tax burden rank), presidential voting history, and links to live coverage, notable races, and the national map.

Key links for California

Census demographic snapshot

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2022 5-year (B01003, B19013, B01001, B03003, B03002; DP03 selected social characteristics); change vs ACS 2017 5-year population (B01003).

Population

39,356,104

Rank 1 of 51 · 1 = largest population

ACS 5-year total

Population density

252.6 people/sq mi

Rank 12 of 51 · 1 = densest

ACS population ÷ Census land area (square miles)

Pop. change (17→22)

+1%

Rank 42 of 51 · 1 = fastest growth

ACS total population comparison

Female / male

49.9% / 50.1%

Share of total population

Median household income

$91,905

Rank 6 of 51 · 1 = highest median income

Below poverty

12.1%

Rank 27 of 51 · 1 = lowest poverty rate

ACS profile, all people

Hispanic or Latino

39.7%

Any race

White (NH)

35.2%

Not Hispanic or Latino

Black (NH)

5.3%

Asian (NH)

14.9%

AIAN (NH)

0.3%

American Indian & Alaska Native alone

Two+ races (NH)

3.8%

Census metric ranks compare all jurisdictions in this snapshot (typically 50 states plus D.C.). Race and ethnicity categories follow Census definitions (e.g., Hispanic origin is asked separately from race). Percentages are shares of total population and may not sum to 100% because of rounding or other groups. State–local tax burden is not a Census figure; see the Tax Foundation link below for 50-state + D.C. rankings (1 = lowest aggregate burden).

Why this state votes this way

Demographics and long-run trends that commonly shape coverage and turnout narratives.

California's Census profile summarizes population scale, sex composition, race and Hispanic origin, and household income—baseline conditions analysts pair with polling and election returns when they discuss coalitions and regional turnout.

What often shows up in coverage

  • Slower population change can stabilize turnout baselines; campaigns may emphasize persuasion and registration efficiency more than rapid expansion of the voter pool.
  • A large Hispanic or Latino share (39.7% here) typically elevates culturally competent outreach, Spanish-language media, and economic themes that resonate across diverse Latino communities in public framing.
  • A higher Asian population share (14.9%) is often linked to multilingual voter contact needs and fast-changing suburban electorates.
  • With no single group holding an overwhelming demographic majority, observers often describe multi-ethnic coalition-building as central to statewide narratives—even though many other factors still decide outcomes.
  • Higher household incomes (median 91,905 USD) correlate in coverage with donation capacity, issues like housing and taxation, and segments of the electorate that respond to different creative.
  • Demographic profile at a glance: Hispanic or Latino residents are about 39.7% of the population in this ACS snapshot, a baseline often used to frame coalition math and statewide messaging priorities.

These indicators are descriptive context for understanding electoral environments—they do not predict vote shares, winners, or partisan realignment.

Presidential voting history

How California has voted in two-party presidential general elections on this site: Democratic and Republican nominees with vote shares, and approximate two-party margin (who carried the state follows from the margin).

Context & notes

The largest Democratic electoral prize—coastal metros and Latino communities anchor overwhelming blue presidential margins.

  • The Central Valley and inland areas are more competitive but rarely flip the statewide outcome.
  • California’s scale makes it a fundraising and volunteer hub for national Democrats even when it isn’t in play.

Results by year

2024

Democratic

Kamala Harris58.47%

Republican

Donald Trump38.33%

Two-party margin

D+20.1

2020

Democratic

Joe Biden63.48%

Republican

Donald Trump34.32%

Two-party margin

D+29.2

2016

Democratic

Hillary Clinton61.73%

Republican

Donald Trump31.62%

Two-party margin

D+30.1

2012

Democratic

Barack Obama60.24%

Republican

Mitt Romney37.12%

Two-party margin

D+23.1

2008

Democratic

Barack Obama61.01%

Republican

John McCain36.95%

Two-party margin

D+24.1

2004

Democratic

John Kerry54.31%

Republican

George W. Bush44.36%

Two-party margin

D+10.0

2000

Democratic

Al Gore53.45%

Republican

George W. Bush41.65%

Two-party margin

D+11.8

1996

Democratic

Bill Clinton51.10%

Republican

Bob Dole38.21%

Two-party margin

D+12.9

1992

Democratic

Bill Clinton46.01%

Republican

George H. W. Bush32.61%

Two-party margin

D+13.4

1988

Democratic

Michael Dukakis47.56%

Republican

George H. W. Bush51.13%

Two-party margin

R+3.6

1984

Democratic

Walter Mondale41.27%

Republican

Ronald Reagan57.52%

Two-party margin

R+16.3

1980

Democratic

Jimmy Carter35.92%

Republican

Ronald Reagan52.70%

Two-party margin

R+16.8

Percentages are major-party shares from this site's state data. Margins use those shares; third-party votes can make totals differ from the national popular vote. This is historical context, not a forecast.

2024 presidential map (State of the Nation)

Notable races involving California

U.S. Congress (California)

119th Congress

U.S. Senate

Caucus split
2D:0R
  • Portrait, Alex Padilla
    Alex PadillaD

    Senior senator

    Alejandro \"Alex\" Padilla is an American politician and engineer serving as the senior United States senator from California, a seat he has held since 2021.

  • Portrait, Adam Schiff
    Adam SchiffD

    Junior senator

    Adam Bennett Schiff is an American lawyer and politician serving as the junior United States senator from California, a seat he has held since 2024.

U.S. House delegation

Post-2024 election delegation totals (Wikipedia / Ballotpedia–style snapshot for the 119th Congress).

Seat split
43D:9R

Governor

Chief executive of California's state government (separate from the U.S. Congress above).

Portrait, Gavin Newsom
Gavin NewsomD

Governor

Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician and businessman serving since 2019 as the 40th governor of California.