SANTA ANA, Calif. — California isn't the same state as when Sen. Dianne Feinstein was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992.
Over the past three decades, the Latino, Asian and multiracial populations in California together saw a near twofold increase while the share of the population that is white declined more than 20%. In 2020, the Hispanic population — the designation used by the U.S. Census Bureau — became the single most populous group, surpassing the share of white residents for the first time in state history.
More than 4 in 10 Californians (who are at least 5 years old) speak a language other than English at home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And more Californians have at least a bachelor’s degree now: nearly 40% compared nearly 30% two decades ago.
