California
“The Golden State”
What Makes California Beautiful
California is a land of breathtaking contrasts, from the granite cathedrals of Yosemite Valley and ancient redwood groves to the sun-drenched Pacific coastline and the stark beauty of Death Valley. Its landscapes span every extreme, offering snow-capped Sierra peaks, rolling vineyard hills, and wild coastal cliffs.
Key Metrics
39.1M
Population
$3987.2B
GDP
+6.5%
GDP Growth (5yr)
$91.9K
Median Income
11.5%
Tax Burden
History
Gold discovered at Sutter's Mill, sparking the California Gold Rush
Admitted as the 31st state
Great San Francisco earthquake and fire devastate the city
Golden Gate Bridge opens to pedestrian traffic
Disneyland opens in Anaheim, transforming American entertainment
Apple Computer founded in a Cupertino garage
Top Cities
Los Angeles
3.9M
Entertainment capital; second-largest US city
San Diego
1.4M
Military hub; biotech corridor; ideal climate
San Jose
1.0M
Heart of Silicon Valley; tech industry center
San Francisco
808K
Golden Gate City; global finance and tech hub
Sacramento
525K
State capital; farm-to-fork dining capital
Economy & Industry
Core Industries
Natural Resources
Energy Portfolio
Budget & Fiscal Health
$310.8B
State Budget
$298.2B
State Revenue
$-12.6B
Fiscal Balance
Social Indicators
11%
Poverty Rate
35.3%
College Degree
6.5%
Uninsured
442/100K
Crime Rate
Where is California Headed?
GDP Projections ($B)
| Scenario | 1yr | 5yr | 10yr | 25yr | 50yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic | $4055B | $4336B | $4715B | $6062B | $9217B |
| Baseline | $4039B | $4253B | $4537B | $5507B | $7606B |
| Pessimistic | $4018B | $4145B | $4309B | $4842B | $5880B |
Political Landscape
D+15