With just four weeks to go until the release of the 1940
US Census, I thought it might be fun to look at a comparison of population statistics for Southern
California for 1940 and 2010..
In 1940, California was the fifth largest state with just
over 6.9 million residents; by 2010, the population of 37,253,956. That’s over
a 500% increase in 70 years! Los Angeles County alone now has a larger
population than some states.
In 1940, there were 44.3 people per square mile in
California; it 2010, that number rose to a whopping 239.1 people per square
mile. But California still ranks only #13 in population density. Density is
much higher in the eastern states.
Los Angeles ranked as the 2nd largest city in
2010, but it had not even ranked in the top ten U.S. cities until 1920. In
1940, it was the 5th largest city. Another Southern California city—San
Diego—ranked in the top ten in 2010, as the 8th largest city in the
country!
Here’s a comparison of our Southern California population,
by county, in 1940 and in 2010:
County
|
1940 Population
|
2010 Population
|
% Increase
|
Imperial
|
59,740
|
174,528
|
292
|
Kern
|
135,124
|
839,631
|
621
|
Los Angeles
|
2,785,643
|
9,818,605
|
352
|
Orange
|
130,760
|
3,010,232
|
2,302
|
Riverside
|
105,524
|
2,189,641
|
2,075
|
San Bernardino
|
161,108
|
2,035,210
|
1,263
|
San Diego
|
289,348
|
3,095,313
|
1,070
|
San Luis Obispo
|
33,246
|
269,637
|
811
|
Santa Barbara
|
70,555
|
423,895
|
601
|
Ventura
|
69,685
|
823,318
|
1,181
|
The populations of some counties are still relatively small,
but most now boast millions of residents! Did your parents or grandparents live in
Southern California when the 1940 US Census was taken? What do (or did) they think
of the population growth that has taken place?
Note: In preparing this post, I found an interactive
graphic posted by msnbc.com that will let you look at changes in state
populations and population density from 1910 to 2010. It’s interesting to play
around with.
