California Update

As reported by Jim Carlton in the Wall Street Journal this week, Hispanics increased their percentage in the California population. That is no great surprise. In the last decade they have increased by 27.8%. But what seems to have been ignored by many is the 30.9% increase in Asians in the State.

These increases are significant, it is true, but they require a little perspective. California is growing but very sluggishly. For the first time since 1890, the State has failed to pick up a new Congressional district. The White population is simply not having sufficient numbers of children to replace themselves. By contrast, the Asian and Hispanic populations have a far greater birthrate. There are also indications that the rate of increase in the last several years of non-White populations is slowing down.

Why the decrease? Jobs.

Those with low education achievement (and the majority of new immigrants of all races fall into this category) look at construction and service industries (like restaurants). Both sectors of the California economy are in trouble. Where are they NOT in trouble? North Carolina has grown at a rate that is twice the national average.

So, what if you want to practice in California? Go to the Central Valley. Between Riverside County to Placer County this is what accounts for almost ALL of the growth in the State. The outskirts of these Central Valley population hubs are where residents can afford to live and to find jobs. They are also the first to likely come out of the economic downturn.

Riverbank, Clovis, Manteca, Tracy, and Merced may not be well-known places right now but they soon will be.