California’s Economy

This PPIC fact sheet describes key long-term trends and provides essential facts about the activities and people that make up California’s economy.

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Amid a rapidly changing policy environment, PPIC provides trusted, impartial facts that inform key decisions about California's future. We can't do this work without you.

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New Publications

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government

Likely voters view the economy as the top state issue and political extremism/threat to democracy as the most important national problem.

Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Lauren Mora, and Deja Thomas

Crime Trends in California

California’s violent crime rate rose somewhat in 2023 and remains above its pre-pandemic level; the statewide property crime rate fell slightly.

Magnus Lofstrom and Brandon Martin

Implementing California’s Universal Financial Aid Application Policy

Initial results of California’s new policy suggest that it can help improve college access among low-income, Latino, and other historically underrepresented students.

Kevin Cook, Jacob Jackson, and Selina Gomez

How Are Black and Latino Men Faring after Developmental Education Reform?

Recent reforms have dramatically expanded access to transfer-level courses at California community colleges. But more work is needed to boost outcomes for Black and Latino men.

Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Cesar Alesi Perez, and Adrián Trinidad

Photo - Police car stopping a vehicle at night

Three Decades of Major Criminal Justice Shifts in California

Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin

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Photo - Aerial view of a subdivision in Irvine, CA

California’s Housing Divide

Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Hans Johnson, Julien Lafortune

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Photo - Mother and a toddler at a kitchen sink drinking water

Is California Experiencing a Water Affordability Crisis?

Ellen Hanak, David Mitchell, Sarah Bardeen

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New Video

Photo - Orange graphic of California with a hand dropping a ballot in a ballot box

California’s Electorate

Although California today is a solidly blue state, this wasn’t always the case. Our new video takes a look at California’s electorate—and how it has shifted.

Ashlyn Perri

WATCH THE VIDEO →

Events

UPCOMING

Is California Ready for Climate Change?

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Each year brings more record-breaking heat to California—and the rising temperatures are already affecting water for our communities, farms, and ecosystems. Are we ready for a warming world? Join us for a special lunchtime program.

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What Happened When California Suspended Bail during COVID?

Thursday, November 21, 2024

PPIC research fellow Deepak Premkumar will present on whether an emergency bail policy led to more rearrests during the pandemic and will offer insight into improving pretrial detention procedures.

LEARN MORE →