Population By Race and Ethnicity in California in 2012

Updated on January 29, 2024.

Based on the US Census Vintage data estimates, in 2012, the 37,944,551 population of California comprised of 14,449,375 people who identified as Hispanic (38.08%), and 23,495,176 people who identified as Non-Hispanic (61.92%).

Race: The White Alone population was the largest racial group in California, with a population of 27,952,190 (73.67%). Asian Alone population was the second largest racial group in California, with a population of 5,295,219 (13.96%). Black or African American Alone population was the third largest racial group in California, with a population of 2,505,489 (6.60%).

Ethnicity: The White Alone - Non Hispanic population was the largest ethnic group in California, with a population of 14,959,968 (39.43%). White Alone - Hispanic population was the second largest ethnic group in California, with a population of 12,992,222 (34.24%). Asian Alone - Non Hispanic population was the third largest ethnic group in California, with a population of 5,066,867 (13.35%).

The charts and tables below shows the population and percentage of each racial and ethnicity group in California.

You can find similar information for other states and for the United States.

You can also find similar information for each California county using links at the bottom of this page.

See this for other years:
Hispanics and Non Hispanics in California in 2012
Total Population:
Race in California in 2012
Total Population:
Ethnicity in California in 2012
Total Population:
Population By Race in California in 2012
Race Population Percentage
Black or African American Alone 2,505,489 6.60%
White Alone 27,952,190 73.67%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone 632,119 1.67%
Asian Alone 5,295,219 13.96%
Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Alone 187,154 0.49%
Two Or More Races 1,372,380 3.62%
Population By Ethnicity in California in 2012
Ethnicity Population Percentage
Black or African American Alone - Hispanic 308,302 0.81%
White Alone - Hispanic 12,992,222 34.24%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone - Hispanic 466,993 1.23%
Asian Alone - Hispanic 228,352 0.60%
Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Alone - Hispanic 50,318 0.13%
Two Or More Races - Hispanic 403,188 1.06%
Black or African American Alone - Non Hispanic 2,197,187 5.79%
White Alone - Non Hispanic 14,959,968 39.43%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone - Non Hispanic 165,126 0.44%
Asian Alone - Non Hispanic 5,066,867 13.35%
Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Alone - Non Hispanic 136,836 0.36%
Two Or More Races - Non Hispanic 969,192 2.55%