>>520978074
California's Demographics See Dramatic Shift Since 1980, Becoming a "Majority-Minority" State
California's racial and ethnic landscape has undergone a transformation since 1980, shifting from a predominantly white population to a state where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority. The Hispanic and Asian populations have seen explosive growth, while the proportion of non-Hispanic white residents has significantly declined.
In 1980, non-Hispanic whites comprised roughly two-thirds of California's population, at approximately 66.7%.The Hispanic population stood at about 19.2%, while the Asian and Pacific Islander population was 5%. The African American population was also a significant minority group.
Fast forward to the 2020s, and the demographic picture is vastly different. According to 2020 US Census data, the Hispanic population has surged to become the largest ethnic group in the state, accounting for 39.4% of the population. The non-Hispanic white population has seen its share decrease to 34.7%.
The Asian American and Pacific Islander community has also experienced growth, with their population share rising to 16% to 17%. In contrast, the Black or African American population has remained relatively stable in numbers but has seen its proportion of the total population decrease, now standing at 5.4% to 6%.
This demographic evolution has been driven by a combination of factors, including robust immigration from Latin America throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The state's white population, on the other hand, has seen much out-migration.
The shift has been so significant that California is now considered a "majority-minority" state, a term used to describe a jurisdiction where racial and ethnic minorities constitute a majority of the population. This demographic reality has had a far-reaching impact on everything from statewide elections and public policy debates to the cultural and culinary landscape of California's cities and towns.