Population By Race and Ethnicity in California in 2016

Updated on January 29, 2024.

Based on the US Census Vintage data estimates, in 2016, the 39,149,186 population of California comprised of 15,151,999 people who identified as Hispanic (38.70%), and 23,997,187 people who identified as Non-Hispanic (61.30%).

Race: The White Alone population was the largest racial group in California, with a population of 28,376,604 (72.48%). Asian Alone population was the second largest racial group in California, with a population of 5,864,838 (14.98%). Black or African American Alone population was the third largest racial group in California, with a population of 2,539,439 (6.49%).

Ethnicity: The White Alone - Non Hispanic population was the largest ethnic group in California, with a population of 14,777,771 (37.75%). White Alone - Hispanic population was the second largest ethnic group in California, with a population of 13,598,833 (34.74%). Asian Alone - Non Hispanic population was the third largest ethnic group in California, with a population of 5,622,254 (14.36%).

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 2016
Total Population:
Race in California in 2016
Total Population:
Ethnicity in California in 2016
Total Population:
Population By Race in California in 2016
Race Population Percentage
Black or African American Alone 2,539,439 6.49%
White Alone 28,376,604 72.48%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone 649,694 1.66%
Asian Alone 5,864,838 14.98%
Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Alone 196,494 0.50%
Two Or More Races 1,522,117 3.89%
Population By Ethnicity in California in 2016
Ethnicity Population Percentage
Black or African American Alone - Hispanic 326,376 0.83%
White Alone - Hispanic 13,598,833 34.74%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone - Hispanic 484,784 1.24%
Asian Alone - Hispanic 242,584 0.62%
Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Alone - Hispanic 53,416 0.14%
Two Or More Races - Hispanic 446,006 1.14%
Black or African American Alone - Non Hispanic 2,213,063 5.65%
White Alone - Non Hispanic 14,777,771 37.75%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone - Non Hispanic 164,910 0.42%
Asian Alone - Non Hispanic 5,622,254 14.36%
Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Alone - Non Hispanic 143,078 0.37%
Two Or More Races - Non Hispanic 1,076,111 2.75%