This profile provides key demographic information on Latino eligible voters1 and other major groups of eligible voters in California.2 All demographic data are based on Pew Research Center tabulations of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 American Community Survey.3

Hispanics in California’s Eligible Voter Population

Population and Electorate in the United States and California, 2012
  • The Hispanic population in California is the largest in the nation. About 14.5 million Hispanics reside in California, 27.5% of all Hispanics in the United States.
  • California’s population is 38% Hispanic, the second highest Hispanic statewide population share nationally.
  • There are 6.4 million Hispanic eligible voters in California—the largest Hispanic statewide eligible voter population nationally. Texas ranks second with 4.5 million.
  • Some 27% of California eligible voters are Hispanic, the third largest Hispanic statewide eligible voter share nationally. New Mexico ranks first with 40%.
  • Some 44% of Hispanics in California are eligible to vote, ranking California 24th nationwide in the share of the Hispanic population that is eligible to vote. By contrast, 80% of the state’s white population is eligible to vote.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in California and the United States, 2012
  • Age. About one-third of Hispanic eligible voters in California (36%) are ages 18 to 29, slightly higher than the share of all Latino eligible voters nationwide (33%) and the share of all California eligible voters (24%) and of all U.S. eligible voters (22%) in that age range.
  • Citizenship and Nativity. Among Hispanic eligible voters in California, 27% are naturalized U.S. citizens, higher than the 25% of Hispanic eligible voters in the U.S. Some 20% of all eligible voters in California—but just 8% of eligible voters in the U.S. overall—are naturalized U.S. citizens.
  • Hispanic Origin. Among Hispanic eligible voters in California, 27% are naturalized U.S. citizens, higher than the 25% of Hispanic eligible voters in the U.S. Some 20% of all eligible voters in California—but just 8% of eligible voters in the U.S. overall—are naturalized U.S. citizens.
  • Educational Attainment. About one-quarter of Latino eligible voters in California (24%) have not completed high school, double the 12% of all California eligible voters who have not completed high school and slightly higher than the 23% of Hispanics nationwide who have not completed high school.
  • Homeownership. Over half of Hispanic eligible voters in California (54%) live in owner-occupied homes, a little lower than the share of all Hispanic eligible voters nationwide (56%). Greater shares of all eligible voters in California (60%) and all eligible voters nationwide (67%) live in owner-occupied homes.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in California, by Race and Ethnicity

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in California and the United States, by Race and Ethnicity, 2012
  • Number of Eligible Voters. White eligible voters outnumber Hispanic eligible voters in California by about 2 to 1. Hispanic eligible voters outnumber Asian eligible voters by about 2 to 1 and black eligible voters by about 4 to 1.
  • Age. Latino eligible voters are younger than white, Asian and black eligible voters in California. Some 36% of Latinos are ages 18 to 29, compared with 18% of white eligible voters, 21% of Asian eligible voters and 24% of black eligible voters.
  • Educational Attainment. Hispanic eligible voters have lower levels of education than do white, black and Asian eligible voters in California. Some 24% of Hispanic eligible voters have not obtained a high school diploma, compared with 6% of white eligible voters and 12% of both Asian and black eligible voters.
  • Homeownership. Hispanic eligible voters (54%) are more likely to live in owner-occupied homes than black eligible voters (39%) in California, but are less likely to live in owner-occupied homes than white (65%) or Asian (67%) eligible voters.