2024
Democratic
Republican
Two-party margin
D+20.1
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.
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).
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
These indicators are descriptive context for understanding electoral environments—they do not predict vote shares, winners, or partisan realignment.
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).
The largest Democratic electoral prize—coastal metros and Latino communities anchor overwhelming blue presidential margins.
2024
Democratic
Republican
Two-party margin
D+20.1
2020
Democratic
Republican
Two-party margin
D+29.2
2016
Democratic
Republican
Two-party margin
D+30.1
2012
Democratic
Republican
Two-party margin
D+23.1
2008
Democratic
Republican
Two-party margin
D+24.1
2004
Democratic
Republican
Two-party margin
D+10.0
2000
Democratic
Republican
Two-party margin
D+11.8
1996
Democratic
Republican
Two-party margin
D+12.9
1992
Democratic
Republican
Two-party margin
D+13.4
1988
Democratic
Republican
Two-party margin
R+3.6
1984
Democratic
Republican
Two-party margin
R+16.3
1980
Democratic
Republican
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.
June 2nd
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.
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.
Post-2024 election delegation totals (Wikipedia / Ballotpedia–style snapshot for the 119th Congress).
Chief executive of California's state government (separate from the U.S. Congress above).
Governor
Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician and businessman serving since 2019 as the 40th governor of California.