14.11: California’s Demographics and Spatial Patterns
The spatial distribution of a population and development are closely related to each other, especially in the context of sustainability. The challenges related to the spatial spread of a population include rapid urbanization and population concentration, rural population, urban management and poverty housing, displaced persons and refugees. Migration is a basic element in the spatial distribution of a population, and it may remain a key driver in the coming decades, especially as an element of urbanization in developing countries.
Languages
As of 2023, over 78% of California residents age 5 and older spoke English at home as a primary language. Many California residents also speak another language, such as Spanish (61%), Chinese, which includes Cantonese and Mandarin (48%), and many others (Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean, Armenian, and Persian).
Comparatively, according to the 2007 American Community Survey, 42.6 percent of California's population older than five spoke a language other than English at home, with 73 percent of those also speaking English well or very well, while 9.8 did not speak English at all.
California had the highest concentration of Vietnamese or Chinese speakers in the United States, second highest concentration of Korean or Spanish speakers in the United States, and third highest concentration of Tagalog speakers in the United States. California was historically one of the most linguistically diverse areas in the world and is home to more than 70 indigenous languages derived from 64 root languages in 6 language families. A survey conducted between 2007 and 2009 identified 23 different indigenous languages of Mexico that are spoken among California farmworkers.
Over 200 languages are known to be spoken and read in California, with Spanish used as the state's "alternative" language. California has more than 100 indigenous languages, making California one of the most linguistically diverse areas in the world. All of California's indigenous languages are endangered, although there are now efforts toward language revitalization.
The official language of California has been English since the passage of Proposition 63 in 1986. However, many state, city, and local government agencies continue to print official public documents in numerous languages. For example, the California Department of Motor Vehicles offers the written exam for the standard C Class driver's license in 31 languages along with English, and the audio exam in 11 languages. The politics of language is a major political issue in the state, especially regarding language policy controlling the teaching and official use of immigrant languages.
As a result of the state's increasing diversity and migration from other areas across the country and around the globe, linguists began noticing a noteworthy set of emerging characteristics of spoken English in California since the late 20th century. This dialect, known as California English, has a vowel shift and several other phonological processes that are different from the dialects used in other regions of the country.
LGBTQA+ Communities
California is seen as one of the most liberal states in the U.S. regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights, which have received nationwide recognition since the 1970s. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in the state since 1976. Discrimination protections regarding sexual orientation and gender identity or expression were adopted statewide in 2003. Transgender people are also permitted to change their legal gender on official documents without any medical interventions, and mental health providers are prohibited from engaging in conversion therapy on minors.
California became the first state in the U.S. to legalize domestic partnerships between same-sex couples in 1999. Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2008 for five months until voters approved a ban in November of the same year. After the U.S. Supreme Court refused to recognize the legal standing of same-sex marriage opponents on June 26, 2013, the ban was no longer enforceable, allowing same-sex marriages to recommence starting on June 28. Same-sex adoption has also been legal statewide since 2003, permitting stepchild adoption and joint adoption between same-sex couples.
In 2014, California became the first state in the U.S. to officially ban the use of gay panic and transgender panic defenses in murder trials. Public schools are also teaching about the history of the LGBTQ+ community, and transgender students can choose the appropriate restroom or sports team that match their gender identity. Most support for LGBTQ+ rights can be seen in the largest cities, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, as well as many cities on the Pacific coast. A 2017 survey from the Public Religion Research Institute showed that 66% of Californians supported same-sex marriage. Since November 2022, 10% of the individuals within the California Legislature are LGBTQ+ members immediately after the elections - a record first for the United States. Modern diversity includes persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (“LGBT”). Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon met in 1949 in San Francisco.
Case Study - Indigenous Peoples of California & LGBTQ+
Prior to European settlement and colonization in the 18th century, many Native American groups in California recognized a "third gender" role in their societies. These individuals, who were often referred to as "two-spirit," were not strictly male or female. They might take on the roles and responsibilities of both genders, and they were often respected and valued members of their communities.
Some of the terms used to refer to third gender individuals in California include:
- Tüdayapi (Northern Paiute)
- 'Aqi (Chumash)
- Wergern (Yurok)
- Í-wa-musp (Yuki)
- Brumaiwi (Astugewi)
- Musp-íwap náip (Yuki)
- T'winiːq (Klamath and Modoc)
- Tonoo'tcim (Kings River Yokuts)
This acceptance of third gender individuals is a testament to the cultural diversity and openness of Native American societies in California. It is a reminder that there is no one right way to be a man or a woman, and that gender is a spectrum.
Religion
California is a diverse state with a wide range of religious beliefs. The largest Christian denominations in California are the Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Southern Baptist Convention. California also has a large Jewish population, as well as significant populations of Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims.
The Catholic Church is the largest religious denomination in California, with over 10 million adherents. Most California Catholics are of Mexican, Central American, Irish, German, Italian, Vietnamese, Filipino, or Korean ancestry. The Catholic Church in California is organized into 12 archdioceses and 47 dioceses.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the second-largest religious denomination in California, with over 500,000 adherents. The Latter-day Saints have played an important role in the settlement of California, and they have a significant presence in the state's history. The church's headquarters are in Salt Lake City, Utah, but it has a large presence in California, with over 1,400 congregations statewide.
The Southern Baptist Convention is the third-largest religious denomination in California, with over 400,000 adherents. The Southern Baptist Convention is a Protestant denomination that was founded in 1845. It is the largest Protestant denomination in the United States.
There is also a large Jewish population in the state, with over 1 million adherents. Most California Jews are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, but there is also a significant Sephardic Jewish population. The Jewish community in California is concentrated in the Los Angeles area, but there are also significant Jewish communities in San Francisco, San Diego, and other parts of the state.
California has a growing Hindu population, with over 750,000 adherents. Most California Hindus are of Indian ancestry, but there is also a significant Sri Lankan Hindu population. The Hindu community in California is concentrated in the Los Angeles area, but there are also significant Hindu communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and other parts of the state.
California also has a growing Buddhist population, with over 600,000 adherents. Most California Buddhists are of Asian ancestry, but there is also a growing non-Asian Buddhist population. The Buddhist community in California is concentrated in the Los Angeles area, but there are also significant Buddhist communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and other parts of the state.
In addition to the major religious groups mentioned above, California is also home to several smaller religious groups, including Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, and Baha'is. The state also has a growing number of people who identify as non-religious or atheist.
A Pew Research Center survey revealed that California is less religious than the rest of the United States. The survey found that 62% of Californians say they are "absolutely certain" of the belief "in God or a universal spirit," while in the nation 71% say so. The survey also found that 48% of Californians say religion is "very important," while the figure for the U.S. in general is 56%.
California is a diverse state with a wide range of religious beliefs. The state's religious landscape is constantly changing, as new immigrants bring their faiths to California. The state's religious diversity is one of its many strengths, and it contributes to the state's rich cultural heritage.
Socioeconomic Factors
California's income distribution is quite broad compared to the country’s as a whole. Its proportions of residents with no income and of residents with income over $100,000 are both higher than the national average. This broad distribution combined with high housing and living costs give California an abnormally high poverty rate. The Census Bureau's Supplemental Poverty Measure, calculated by comparing household income to a locally adjusted poverty threshold, reports that 20.7% of California's population has income insufficient for their basic needs, as compared to 12.9% for the U.S. This calculation of income includes the benefits of California welfare programs such as food stamps and earned income tax credits — without these, the state's poverty rate would be 28%.
Increasing income inequality has had many effects on Californians' lives, including on life expectancy, which can be taken as a proxy for health or even general welfare. A study conducted by Clarke et al. related life expectancy to socioeconomic status (SES, an index including income and other related factors), finding that Californians in the top 20% by SES live on average six years longer than those in the bottom 20% (81 years, compared to 75). This disparity becomes even more pronounced when intersected with race: White males in the top 20% live 14 years longer than African American males in the bottom 20% (for females, the difference is 10 years).
The complexity of the state's low-income trends were visible when, in response to growing Chinese and Spanish-speaking populations, the city of Oakland implemented the nation's first policy of recruiting bilingual applicants for public-facing city jobs in 2001. This increased the employment of Hispanic and Chinese bilinguals throughout the public workforce, but also lowered (monolingual) Black employment.