Report: California’s foreign-born population has peaked

After decades on the rise, California's foreign-born population has peaked and in some large areas -- including Los Angeles County -- has even slightly declined, with that trend expected to continue, according to a new report.

This peaking of the foreign-born population has occurred earlier than previously forecast because of sharp declines in new immigrant arrivals, largely attributed to stepped-up border enforcement and the downturn in the economy, according to the report by USC demographer Dowell Myers. In the report's figures, California has a population of roughly 34 million.

"In the last decade, homegrown residents have surpassed migrants and immigrants to become a majority of the California population for the first time since before the Gold Rush," Myers said in his report.

From 2000 to 2008, the foreign-born population in Los Angeles County declined from 36.2% of the total population in 2000 to 35.2% in 2008; neighboring Orange County leveled off during the same time period from 29.9% to 30%, according to the report. Overall, the state's foreign-born population went from 26.2% to 26.8% during this period.

In addition, the foreign-born population has not risen substantially since 2000 in any Southern California county except Riverside, which went from 19% at the beginning of this decade to 22.3% in 2008, according to the report.

Meanwhile, the California-born population in Los Angeles County increased from 45.2% of the total population to 48.8% during this same time period, while Orange County jumped from 46.5% to 50.1%. This mirrored a statewide trend, with the homegrown population increasing from 50.2% to 53.3%.

"The simplest way of describing the dramatic transition," Myers said in his report, "is that none of the Southern California counties had a homegrown majority in 1980."

In 1990, only San Bernardino County had a homegrown majority. By 2000, Riverside and Ventura counties had joined this category, followed by Orange County in 2008, according to the report. By 2010, it is projected that all counties – including Los Angeles and San Diego – will have acquired a homegrown majority.

What economic and political changes this demographic shift will have on a state that has been focused on migration-driven growth remains an open question, Myers concludes. But one thing is certain, Myers says, the state has transitioned into a new era that will increasingly be shaped by native Californians.

-- Teresa Watanabe

Photo: Massive immigration rights rally in downtown Los Angeles in 2006. Los Angeles Times

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Comments

[BeautyQueen]

What reports are these figures based on? There's got to be a fairly large margin of error, considering that illegals probably aren't lining up and risking deportation (ha!) to admit their status for the sake of an accurate count (census, etc.).

[James]

There's something seriously wrong when 1/3 of the population is born in another country.

[Carlos E]

I think a key definition is missing. Does"Foreign Born" mean anyone who was not born in that county, state, or country? If someone moves from Orange County to LA County are they an immigrant?

[Tornadoes28]

It's too bad illegal alien law-breakers are ever included in the population figures. Stepped up border enforcement should have happened 25 years ago.

[Beily]

There's something seriously wrong when 1/3 of the population blames immigrants for all their troubles instead of their own lack of education and drive to succeed.

[Ruby Jackson]

It's not enough.

[TJ]

Don't worry, you won't notice the "decline."

[gmo]

"There's something seriously wrong when 1/3 of the population is born in another country.

Posted by: James | March 31, 2010 at 10:41 AM"

That is exactly what the Native Americans said when the new IMMIGRANTS arrived!

[Sam Krueger]

Actually, James (March 31, 10:41 AM), there's something seriously right when 1/3 of the population is born in another country. Throughout history, each successive global economic center has always been full of migrants.

[Jose]

It's most likely because the previous immigrants (illegal and legal) have been having lots of US born babies for the last 10 years.

Check your local hospital regarding the citizenship of the mothers giving birth.

[Jan]

Good for California, good for housing market, good for city budget, good for school districts!!! We just need more water and lower property taxes and lower utilities bills!!!

[East Nyboer]

There's something seriously wrong when a country of immigrants (a description which truly applies to all countries) thinks that they have divine right to that country.

Human migration is a fact of existence. It comes with both problems and benefits and, yes, it needs to be addressed socially and legally but there's nothing "wrong" with it.

Sorry things aren't going according to your master plan. Shake off your bitterness and deal with reality.

[Jon]

I think it says more about the other country(ies) than it does about this one. But I see the point nonetheless.

[Dave]

Stepped up border enforment isn't much of a deterent when you have American companies that need to fill jobs that no other U.S. citizen is willing to take. The down turn in #'s is based on a weak economy, and they will be back up once the economy rebounds. What we need is a true immigration reform that penalizes U.S. companies for hiring illegal immigrants, and at the same time sets up a guest worker program.

[Jim Q. Citizen]

This is just another fluff piece for Obama to quote when he tries to ram amnesty down the taxpayer's throat. For every immigrant we lose we'll find another 3 to replace him!

[Maggie]

Almost everyone in this country is a descendant of a foreign-born person so please get over yourselves. Maybe if you actually paid attention in your high school history classes, you would realize this. There's something seriously wrong when people born in this country don't know their own history.

[Joe]

The way the count is touted is wrong.
Foreign born means born in another country (simple)
Homegrown does not mean born in this country to legal, documented, whatever residents. It just means they were born in the juristiction. You really have to read into the NewSpeak. So the homegrown are all placed into the same nice category to fool you into thinking they are americans or legal immigrants. Let's split the Homegrown into thw three categories they belong:
1) births from illegals
2) births from legals
3) births from citizens.

I'd like to see these numbers!

[Mark]

waste of money to report on illegal immigration. there is no way you can count how many illegal people are in the State and in this country!

[James]

LoL i too am curious where exactly there getting these number's from. Im 23 and ive seen a huge increase in immigrant population since i was a kid.

[LA Photographs]

LA population becoming bigger and bigger in a year..

[Hammer]

I dont believe what I just read.Illegals do the jobs Ameicans dont want.When I was a youger man I and all of my friends did every dirty job their was.In this economy their are no jobs,I see illegals that dont pay tax working I see Americans that pay tax out of work..In North Hollywood where I live I only see illegals with with jobs.You know a regular unskilled job not all Americans are Dr,or Judges.American born students cant get jobs 50 yearold illegals have them.I want to live in America again this is America I keep telling my self.Over 4 million illegals sucking the life out of California.Stealing American childrens education by flooding the schools,When I was going to school I worked, American children dont have that opertunity illegals took it.I see billboard in Spanish.I go to the store they dont speak English.I go to Ralphs market all illegals working.I go to Gelsons market in North Hollywood ,Illegals have most of the jobs.The gas station illegals.They steall our jobs take all the free services welfare they even vote with false identification.I cant get work.Illegals only hire illegals,Most places want illegals to keep wages down,and rents up.Now they are stealing American children future,American children are being held back by childen that dont speak English and are here illegaly,Now we cant afford to have summer school because illegals over taxing the education system.Americans must stand up and help American children now.