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26.0 million votes: See the demographics of California’s voting population

In 2020, 158.4 million citizens—almost two-thirds of estimated eligible voters—voted in the presidential elections, according to the Pew Research Center. The number represented a higher than average turnout, with people voting in numbers not seen since 1980 and possibly well before.

Stacker compiled voter demographics for each state and Washington, D.C., using the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (released in September 2020). Each slide shows the state’s voting-eligible population (citizens who are 18 or older) and the breakdown of that population by sex, age, race, and education. Economic statistics are not included because the American Community Survey does not account for COVID-19, which affected unemployment, poverty, and medical insurance status for millions of Americans. In order to avoid making any assumptions about the data or the participants of the American Community Survey, Stacker used the exact wording of the “race” and “sex” framework that was provided in the census data.

Keep reading to see the voter demographics of your state.

California by the numbers

– Voting-eligible population: 26,032,160
– Breakdown by sex: 49.1% male, 50.9% female
– Breakdown by age: 22.9% 18-29 years old, 25.0% 30-44 years old, 31.4% 45-64 years old, 20.7% 65+ years old
– Breakdown by race: 63.4% White, 6.7% Black or African American, 14.3% Asian, 30.9% Hispanic or Latino, 0.9% Native American or Alaska Native, 0.4% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 4.1% two or more races
– Breakdown by education: 4.6% less than high school education, 6.3% some high school (no diploma), 21.9% high school graduate or equivalency, 25.1% some college (no degree), 8.2% associate’s degree, 21.8% bachelor’s degree, 12.1% graduate or professional degree

Famous for being blue and giving its U.S.-leading 50+ electoral votes to every Democratic presidential nominee since 1992, the Golden State has 20.9 million registered voters. The percentage of registered voters increased by 10% since 2016 in California, which has one of the lowest rates of prominent white voters, while male and female balloter proportions are nearly equal, on average.

By percentage, voters aged 45–64 are the highest in every state, with registered voters over the age of 45 comprising more than half the country’s population. Older voters also trend toward turning out to vote at a higher rate and played a significant role in former President Donald Trump’s 2016 victory in Florida.

Along racial lines, Black or African American voters in Louisiana and Georgia comprise more than 30% of the state’s registered voters. California and Texas—which award the most electoral votes at 55 and 38, respectively—boast the highest numbers of Latino voters. On the other end of the spectrum, West Virginia and Maine boast the highest percentage of white voters. A number of states had already seen record voter turnouts, with 16 seeing more than half of its registered voters casting a ballot before Election Day.

Continue reading for a glimpse into the voter demographics of neighboring states.

Nevada

– Voting-eligible population: 2,111,932
– Breakdown by sex: 50.0% male, 50.0% female
– Breakdown by age: 20.4% 18-29 years old, 24.8% 30-44 years old, 32.3% 45-64 years old, 22.4% 65+ years old
– Breakdown by race: 69.7% White, 9.9% Black or African American, 7.9% Asian, 20.3% Hispanic or Latino, 1.3% Native American or Alaska Native, 0.7% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 3.7% two or more races
– Breakdown by education: 2.7% less than high school education, 7.3% some high school (no diploma), 29.5% high school graduate or equivalency, 26.9% some college (no degree), 9.0% associate’s degree, 16.2% bachelor’s degree, 8.5% graduate or professional degree

Made up of a more diverse voting population than other U.S. regions, Nevada’s increased African American, Asian, and Latino populations make minority groups an influential factor in election results. That influence will only increase, as the Battle Born State’s populace rose by 14.1% between 2010–19.

Oregon

– Voting-eligible population: 3,162,204
– Breakdown by sex: 48.9% male, 51.1% female
– Breakdown by age: 19.7% 18-29 years old, 25.2% 30-44 years old, 31.3% 45-64 years old, 23.9% 65+ years old
– Breakdown by race: 87.2% White, 1.8% Black or African American, 3.6% Asian, 8.5% Hispanic or Latino, 1.2% Native American or Alaska Native, 0.3% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 3.9% two or more races
– Breakdown by education: 1.9% less than high school education, 5.6% some high school (no diploma), 24.2% high school graduate or equivalency, 27.1% some college (no degree), 9.0% associate’s degree, 20.2% bachelor’s degree, 12.1% graduate or professional degree

Oregon’s minority population is much smaller than other U.S. regions. The Beaver State’s largest city, Portland, which is noted as the “Whitest City in America,” is notorious for minority exclusion, as further revealed in Oregon’s low minority voter populations, including Asian and Hispanic groups.

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California is the #1 state with the fewest people living in maternal health care deserts

Compared to other developed nations, the United States regularly ranks among the worst countries for maternal and infant health outcomes. Childbirth outcomes are often tied to a birthing parent’s circumstances, fueling wide disparities at the geographic, demographic, and income levels.

Research has shown that access to prenatal care, family planning services, and other contraceptive resources decreases maternal and infant mortality. However, an increasing number of counties throughout the country are losing access to obstetric care. Aging populations, limited staff, and low reimbursement rates for Medicaid patients are factors that have made rural hospital birth units costly to operate.

Stacker followed the March of Dimes’ definition of a maternity care desert, including counties with no hospitals with obstetric care, OB/GYNs, or certified nurse-midwives. To identify affected counties, Stacker analyzed the Area Health Resource Files from the Health Resources and Services Administration and merged this data with county-level birth data collected by the National Vital Statistics System to calculate how many births in each state are to parents who live in maternal health care deserts.

Stacker also used 2020 Census population data to calculate what percentage of a state’s population lives in counties without access to maternal health care. Although maternal health care deserts have a disproportionate impact upon people between the ages 15-44 who can get pregnant, Stacker used population data across all sexes and ages to include county-level demographic data and more deeply compare racial disparities.

Keep reading to learn about the challenges facing maternal health care in your state and how state policies and community-driven programs seek to bridge rural and demographic health care disparities, or find the national list here.

California by the numbers

– Percent of state’s births to parents who live in maternal health care deserts: 0.3% (1,127 births)
– Population who lives in maternal health care desert: 0.3%
— 0.5% of state’s white population
— 0.0% of state’s Black population
— 0.6% of state’s Native American population
— 0.2% of state’s Hispanic population
— 0.1% of state’s Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander population
— 0.1% of state’s Asian population

Even in areas with access to maternal care, other challenges like poverty, limited transit, lack of insurance, and systematic racism can put families at risk of poor maternal and infant health outcomes. Estimates from the CDC show that 60% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable, but inadequate treatment and identification of health risks contribute to hundreds of maternal deaths annually.

Pregnant Black people face disproportionate risks when giving birth. The infant mortality rate for Black children in the U.S. is double the rate for white children. Maternal mortality rates show similarly grim patterns, with 44 deaths per 100,000 live births among Black people compared to 17.9 per 100,000 live births for white people.

Continue reading to see the states that have the most and fewest people living in maternal health care deserts.

States where the most people live in maternal health care deserts

#1. Mississippi: 23.6% of state’s births to parents who live in maternal health care deserts (8,484 births)
#2. South Dakota: 23.2% of state’s births to parents who live in maternal health care deserts (2,715 births)
#3. Kentucky: 22.4% of state’s births to parents who live in maternal health care deserts (11,821 births)

States where the fewest people live in maternal health care deserts

#1. California: 0.3% of state’s births to parents who live in maternal health care deserts (1,127 births)
#2. New York: 0.3% of state’s births to parents who live in maternal health care deserts (730 births)
#3. Arizona: 0.4% of state’s births to parents who live in maternal health care deserts (311 births)

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Most diverse counties in California

The United States has a longstanding reputation as being a melting pot (or salad bowl), with its diversity manifesting itself across many different demographics. However, some places across the country are notably more heterogeneous than others.

Stacker compiled a list of the most diverse counties in California using data from using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest Simpson’s diversity index score. Simpson’s diversity index measures community diversity on a scale of 0 (least diverse) to 1 (most diverse), more on the calculation can be read here.

Think you know which counties in your home state might be the most diverse? Keep reading to see if your predictions are correct.

DimiTalen // Wikimedia Commons

#50. El Dorado County

– Index: 0.228
– Total population: 188,563
– White: 87.6% (165,234)
– Black or African American: 0.8% (1,516)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (1,532)
– Asian: 4.5% (8,540)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (486)
– 2 or more races: 3.9% (7,263)
– Some other Race: 2.1% (3,992)

Bobak Ha’Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Amador County

– Index: 0.243
– Total population: 38,429
– White: 86.7% (33,327)
– Black or African American: 2.4% (904)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (303)
– Asian: 1.3% (508)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (57)
– 2 or more races: 4.8% (1,830)
– Some other Race: 3.9% (1,500)

Doug Kerr // Wikicommons

#48. Shasta County

– Index: 0.247
– Total population: 179,212
– White: 86.6% (155,124)
– Black or African American: 1.2% (2,088)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.7% (4,832)
– Asian: 3.2% (5,798)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (254)
– 2 or more races: 4.2% (7,509)
– Some other Race: 2.0% (3,607)

Almonroth // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Trinity County

– Index: 0.255
– Total population: 12,700
– White: 86.0% (10,924)
– Black or African American: 1.0% (127)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 5.6% (716)
– Asian: 1.8% (226)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (28)
– 2 or more races: 2.0% (251)
– Some other Race: 3.4% (428)

Frank Schulenburg // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Tehama County

– Index: 0.259
– Total population: 63,912
– White: 85.7% (54,795)
– Black or African American: 0.8% (530)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.0% (1,255)
– Asian: 1.5% (967)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (28)
– 2 or more races: 4.5% (2,867)
– Some other Race: 5.4% (3,470)

Basar // Wikicommons

#45. San Luis Obispo County

– Index: 0.265
– Total population: 282,165
– White: 85.5% (241,123)
– Black or African American: 1.9% (5,319)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.9% (2,458)
– Asian: 3.6% (10,296)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (265)
– 2 or more races: 3.7% (10,437)
– Some other Race: 4.3% (12,267)

Chmee2 // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Siskiyou County

– Index: 0.275
– Total population: 43,468
– White: 84.8% (36,847)
– Black or African American: 1.6% (695)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 3.7% (1,618)
– Asian: 1.6% (708)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.4% (157)
– 2 or more races: 6.5% (2,807)
– Some other Race: 1.5% (636)

Binksternet // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Mendocino County

– Index: 0.294
– Total population: 87,224
– White: 83.6% (72,935)
– Black or African American: 0.7% (628)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 4.4% (3,818)
– Asian: 2.1% (1,805)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (165)
– 2 or more races: 4.9% (4,290)
– Some other Race: 4.1% (3,583)

clr_flickr from Rocklin, USA // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Mono County

– Index: 0.299
– Total population: 14,310
– White: 83.3% (11,921)
– Black or African American: 0.8% (111)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 3.5% (497)
– Asian: 2.6% (367)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 3.7% (532)
– Some other Race: 6.2% (882)

Finetooth // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Lassen County

– Index: 0.315
– Total population: 30,818
– White: 82.2% (25,324)
– Black or African American: 8.7% (2,686)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.8% (864)
– Asian: 1.4% (428)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.8% (247)
– 2 or more races: 2.5% (759)
– Some other Race: 1.7% (510)

Doug Olson // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Placer County

– Index: 0.316
– Total population: 385,512
– White: 82.2% (316,716)
– Black or African American: 1.7% (6,626)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (2,052)
– Asian: 7.5% (28,909)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (858)
– 2 or more races: 4.9% (18,993)
– Some other Race: 2.9% (11,358)

Michael Patrick // Wikimedia Commons

#39. San Benito County

– Index: 0.324
– Total population: 60,376
– White: 81.6% (49,245)
– Black or African American: 0.8% (491)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (443)
– Asian: 3.0% (1,804)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (57)
– 2 or more races: 5.3% (3,198)
– Some other Race: 8.5% (5,138)

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#38. Butte County

– Index: 0.326
– Total population: 225,817
– White: 81.6% (184,180)
– Black or African American: 1.5% (3,461)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.2% (2,616)
– Asian: 4.6% (10,432)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (603)
– 2 or more races: 6.1% (13,771)
– Some other Race: 4.8% (10,754)

Trance addict // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Glenn County

– Index: 0.330
– Total population: 27,976
– White: 81.1% (22,685)
– Black or African American: 0.8% (230)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.4% (682)
– Asian: 2.9% (825)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (11)
– 2 or more races: 2.3% (645)
– Some other Race: 10.4% (2,898)

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#36. Ventura County

– Index: 0.348
– Total population: 847,263
– White: 80.1% (678,658)
– Black or African American: 1.8% (15,594)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (6,760)
– Asian: 7.3% (62,190)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (1,698)
– 2 or more races: 4.5% (38,136)
– Some other Race: 5.2% (44,227)

Cory Maylett // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Humboldt County

– Index: 0.353
– Total population: 135,940
– White: 79.9% (108,557)
– Black or African American: 1.1% (1,506)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 5.0% (6,846)
– Asian: 3.1% (4,196)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.4% (488)
– 2 or more races: 6.4% (8,640)
– Some other Race: 4.2% (5,707)

Chuck Abbe // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Inyo County

– Index: 0.363
– Total population: 17,977
– White: 78.8% (14,170)
– Black or African American: 0.9% (153)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 11.3% (2,028)
– Asian: 1.9% (350)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (34)
– 2 or more races: 4.7% (850)
– Some other Race: 2.2% (392)

Kglavin // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Marin County

– Index: 0.381
– Total population: 259,943
– White: 77.8% (202,313)
– Black or African American: 2.2% (5,767)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (911)
– Asian: 5.9% (15,367)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (571)
– 2 or more races: 4.9% (12,756)
– Some other Race: 8.6% (22,258)

Pixabay

#32. Santa Barbara County

– Index: 0.385
– Total population: 444,829
– White: 77.5% (344,778)
– Black or African American: 2.0% (8,984)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.0% (4,644)
– Asian: 5.6% (24,849)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (581)
– 2 or more races: 4.2% (18,552)
– Some other Race: 9.5% (42,441)

CFang // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Lake County

– Index: 0.390
– Total population: 64,195
– White: 76.9% (49,389)
– Black or African American: 2.3% (1,447)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 3.6% (2,310)
– Asian: 1.1% (723)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (42)
– 2 or more races: 3.7% (2,375)
– Some other Race: 12.3% (7,909)

Public Domain

#30. Stanislaus County

– Index: 0.400
– Total population: 543,194
– White: 76.6% (415,911)
– Black or African American: 3.0% (16,547)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (4,418)
– Asian: 5.5% (30,007)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.7% (3,961)
– 2 or more races: 4.2% (22,564)
– Some other Race: 9.2% (49,786)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Yuba County

– Index: 0.409
– Total population: 76,360
– White: 76.0% (58,016)
– Black or African American: 3.4% (2,621)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.2% (936)
– Asian: 6.8% (5,201)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.5% (351)
– 2 or more races: 7.4% (5,654)
– Some other Race: 4.7% (3,581)

Aaronbrick // Wikicommons

#28. Santa Cruz County

– Index: 0.417
– Total population: 273,962
– White: 74.8% (204,866)
– Black or African American: 1.1% (2,904)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (1,505)
– Asian: 4.8% (13,134)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (337)
– 2 or more races: 4.8% (13,086)
– Some other Race: 13.9% (38,130)

Fred Hsu // Wikicommons

#27. Sonoma County

– Index: 0.419
– Total population: 499,772
– White: 74.8% (373,667)
– Black or African American: 1.7% (8,269)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.9% (4,395)
– Asian: 4.1% (20,443)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (1,606)
– 2 or more races: 5.4% (26,761)
– Some other Race: 12.9% (64,631)

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#26. Del Norte County

– Index: 0.426
– Total population: 27,495
– White: 74.9% (20,581)
– Black or African American: 3.4% (940)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 7.2% (1,986)
– Asian: 3.2% (888)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (44)
– 2 or more races: 6.3% (1,736)
– Some other Race: 4.8% (1,320)

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#25. Tulare County

– Index: 0.427
– Total population: 461,898
– White: 73.7% (340,462)
– Black or African American: 1.6% (7,201)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.3% (6,118)
– Asian: 3.6% (16,690)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (766)
– 2 or more races: 3.4% (15,712)
– Some other Race: 16.2% (74,949)

nickchapman // Wikicommons

#24. Kern County

– Index: 0.429
– Total population: 887,641
– White: 74.4% (660,147)
– Black or African American: 5.5% (48,550)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.0% (8,969)
– Asian: 4.7% (42,100)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (1,678)
– 2 or more races: 3.5% (31,032)
– Some other Race: 10.7% (95,165)

Stan Shebs // Wikicommons

#23. Napa County

– Index: 0.440
– Total population: 139,623
– White: 73.4% (102,467)
– Black or African American: 2.1% (2,883)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.9% (1,196)
– Asian: 8.1% (11,352)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (301)
– 2 or more races: 3.9% (5,380)
– Some other Race: 11.5% (16,044)

Public Domain

#22. Madera County

– Index: 0.473
– Total population: 155,433
– White: 69.5% (108,100)
– Black or African American: 3.2% (4,949)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.6% (2,489)
– Asian: 2.1% (3,229)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (176)
– 2 or more races: 3.3% (5,061)
– Some other Race: 20.2% (31,429)

SD Dirk // Flickr

#21. San Diego County

– Index: 0.477
– Total population: 3.3 million
– White: 70.7% (2,345,667)
– Black or African American: 5.0% (166,750)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (22,524)
– Asian: 11.9% (394,742)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.4% (13,867)
– 2 or more races: 5.2% (173,794)
– Some other Race: 6.0% (198,729)

Epolk // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Yolo County

– Index: 0.491
– Total population: 217,352
– White: 69.3% (150,617)
– Black or African American: 2.7% (5,847)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (1,306)
– Asian: 14.0% (30,462)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.4% (955)
– 2 or more races: 6.3% (13,659)
– Some other Race: 6.7% (14,506)

Ray Bouknight // Wikicommons

#19. Sutter County

– Index: 0.492
– Total population: 96,109
– White: 69.0% (66,293)
– Black or African American: 1.9% (1,827)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.9% (878)
– Asian: 15.7% (15,048)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.6% (548)
– 2 or more races: 7.1% (6,785)
– Some other Race: 4.9% (4,730)

Cbl62 // Wikicommons

#18. Imperial County

– Index: 0.506
– Total population: 180,701
– White: 65.1% (117,658)
– Black or African American: 2.5% (4,489)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.1% (1,912)
– Asian: 1.5% (2,680)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (309)
– 2 or more races: 3.6% (6,514)
– Some other Race: 26.1% (47,139)

Armona // Wikicommons

#17. Kings County

– Index: 0.508
– Total population: 150,691
– White: 67.7% (102,062)
– Black or African American: 6.4% (9,642)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.6% (2,431)
– Asian: 3.9% (5,817)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (277)
– 2 or more races: 4.1% (6,143)
– Some other Race: 16.1% (24,319)

David Jordan // Wikicommons

#16. Fresno County

– Index: 0.542
– Total population: 984,521
– White: 65.0% (639,985)
– Black or African American: 4.8% (46,782)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.2% (11,656)
– Asian: 10.3% (101,857)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (1,620)
– 2 or more races: 4.1% (40,384)
– Some other Race: 14.4% (142,237)

Susan Popielaski // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Alpine County

– Index: 0.550
– Total population: 1,039
– White: 57.7% (599)
– Black or African American: 0.9% (9)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 34.0% (353)
– Asian: 1.0% (10)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.6% (6)
– 2 or more races: 5.1% (53)
– Some other Race: 0.9% (9)

Hollywood // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Orange County

– Index: 0.570
– Total population: 3.2 million
– White: 61.0% (1,931,263)
– Black or African American: 1.8% (55,591)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (14,424)
– Asian: 20.5% (649,042)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (10,152)
– 2 or more races: 4.1% (130,009)
– Some other Race: 11.9% (377,563)

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#13. San Bernardino County

– Index: 0.581
– Total population: 2.1 million
– White: 61.2% (1,315,238)
– Black or African American: 8.3% (179,292)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (17,782)
– Asian: 7.2% (154,332)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (6,838)
– 2 or more races: 5.0% (106,949)
– Some other Race: 17.2% (368,600)

Daniel Orth // Flickr

#12. Riverside County

– Index: 0.584
– Total population: 2.4 million
– White: 59.9% (1,444,654)
– Black or African American: 6.5% (156,836)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (19,765)
– Asian: 6.5% (157,261)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (7,485)
– 2 or more races: 4.4% (106,316)
– Some other Race: 21.5% (519,122)

Naotake Murayama // Wikicommons

#11. Monterey County

– Index: 0.601
– Total population: 433,410
– White: 53.3% (230,992)
– Black or African American: 2.6% (11,367)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (2,993)
– Asian: 5.6% (24,326)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.5% (2,135)
– 2 or more races: 4.3% (18,556)
– Some other Race: 33.0% (143,041)

Mark Miller // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Merced County

– Index: 0.604
– Total population: 271,382
– White: 55.1% (149,434)
– Black or African American: 3.2% (8,645)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.9% (2,501)
– Asian: 7.5% (20,349)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (654)
– 2 or more races: 4.1% (11,064)
– Some other Race: 29.0% (78,735)

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#9. Sacramento County

– Index: 0.625
– Total population: 1.5 million
– White: 57.3% (873,905)
– Black or African American: 9.8% (149,891)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (10,111)
– Asian: 15.7% (239,447)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 1.1% (17,400)
– 2 or more races: 7.5% (113,877)
– Some other Race: 7.9% (119,922)

LPS.1 // Wikicommons

#8. San Joaquin County

– Index: 0.632
– Total population: 742,603
– White: 56.5% (419,288)
– Black or African American: 7.0% (51,931)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (4,706)
– Asian: 15.6% (115,531)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.6% (4,565)
– 2 or more races: 10.9% (81,198)
– Some other Race: 8.8% (65,384)

MARELBU // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Contra Costa County

– Index: 0.636
– Total population: 1.1 million
– White: 55.8% (637,904)
– Black or African American: 8.7% (99,642)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (5,506)
– Asian: 16.7% (190,983)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.5% (5,631)
– 2 or more races: 6.8% (77,956)
– Some other Race: 10.9% (124,629)

Craig Howell // Wikimedia Commons

#6. San Mateo County

– Index: 0.646
– Total population: 767,423
– White: 50.6% (388,318)
– Black or African American: 2.3% (17,784)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (3,002)
– Asian: 28.7% (220,151)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 1.4% (10,366)
– 2 or more races: 5.7% (43,492)
– Some other Race: 11.0% (84,310)

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#5. San Francisco County

– Index: 0.655
– Total population: 874,961
– White: 46.4% (406,056)
– Black or African American: 5.2% (45,556)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (3,223)
– Asian: 34.4% (301,018)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.4% (3,188)
– 2 or more races: 5.6% (48,713)
– Some other Race: 7.7% (67,207)

Uladzik Kryhin // Shutterstock

#4. Santa Clara County

– Index: 0.655
– Total population: 1.9 million
– White: 44.5% (857,092)
– Black or African American: 2.5% (47,992)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (9,697)
– Asian: 36.5% (702,881)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.4% (7,271)
– 2 or more races: 5.2% (100,143)
– Some other Race: 10.5% (202,394)

BDS2006 // Wikimedia

#3. Los Angeles County

– Index: 0.664
– Total population: 10.1 million
– White: 51.3% (5,168,443)
– Black or African American: 8.1% (820,478)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (73,393)
– Asian: 14.6% (1,473,221)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (27,720)
– 2 or more races: 4.0% (402,767)
– Some other Race: 21.0% (2,115,548)

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#2. Solano County

– Index: 0.666
– Total population: 441,829
– White: 52.6% (232,437)
– Black or African American: 13.9% (61,526)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (2,215)
– Asian: 15.4% (68,200)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.9% (4,101)
– 2 or more races: 7.5% (33,004)
– Some other Race: 9.1% (40,346)

Jennifer Williams // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Alameda County

– Index: 0.718
– Total population: 1.7 million
– White: 40.5% (670,364)
– Black or African American: 10.6% (175,751)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (11,120)
– Asian: 30.1% (499,382)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.8% (13,900)
– 2 or more races: 6.5% (106,993)
– Some other Race: 10.8% (179,244)

smolaw // Shutterstock

What common medical visits cost in California – and how they compare to nearby states

In the patchwork of health care providers in the United States, determining what a medical visit might cost can be confusing at best and life-altering at worst. The vast majority of patients who arrive at the hospital for a service recommended by their doctor do so without knowing the cost of that treatment. The price tag on most medical visits is so high for the uninsured, a full one-third of all money raised on GoFundMe is for health care costs.

A raft of legislation in nearly every state is set on tackling some of these endemic issues, with energy aimed squarely at lowering costs and expanding access. Some of this legislation is grand in scope, notably in states like New York where legislators are looking to put a public option on the table for residents there. Other states are taking a narrower approach, requiring providers to release price lists so patients are aware of what their care will cost.

Stacker analyzed cost data released on June 8, 2021, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, common provider data from Verywell Health, and state zip codes from Simplemaps to find the average out-of-pocket cost for three typical medical visits in each state.

California

– Most common family practice visit costs
— Medicare recipients: $114.89 for established patients ($99.50 for new patients)
— Other insurance holders: $28.72 for established patients ($24.88 for new patients)
– Most common internal medicine visit costs
— Medicare recipients: $114.89 for established patients ($147.83 for new patients)
— Other insurance holders: $28.72 for established patients ($36.96 for new patients)
– Most common pediatric medicine visit costs
— Medicare recipients: $114.89 for established patients ($99.50 for new patients)
— Other insurance holders: $28.72 for established patients ($24.88 for new patients)

Health care costs could soon change dramatically for California residents. A current bill is considering a single-payer health system. In such a system, out-of-pocket costs for patients would be outright banned.

Some trends held steady across most states. For family practice and pediatric visits, new patients often pay less than established patients. For internal medicine visits, new patients frequently pay more than established patients. Both of these trends exist regardless of insurance type.

Transparency is increasingly paramount in American health care. Keep reading for a look at what common medical visits cost in neighboring states and the state-level factors that may influence these costs.

Oregon

– Most common family practice visit costs
— Medicare recipients: $100.62 for established patients ($86.82 for new patients)
— Other insurance holders: $25.16 for established patients ($21.71 for new patients)
– Most common internal medicine visit costs
— Medicare recipients: $100.62 for established patients ($129.94 for new patients)
— Other insurance holders: $25.16 for established patients ($32.48 for new patients)
– Most common pediatric medicine visit costs
— Medicare recipients: $100.62 for established patients ($86.82 for new patients)
— Other insurance holders: $25.16 for established patients ($21.71 for new patients)

In 2021, Oregon passed legislation intended to keep health care costs competitive. HB 3262 limits mergers and consolidations between insurers, theoretically making it more likely that a robust network of providers will compete against one another to lower prices.

Arizona

– Most common family practice visit costs
— Medicare recipients: $102.07 for established patients ($88.34 for new patients)
— Other insurance holders: $25.52 for established patients ($22.08 for new patients)
– Most common internal medicine visit costs
— Medicare recipients: $102.07 for established patients ($132.23 for new patients)
— Other insurance holders: $25.52 for established patients ($33.06 for new patients)
– Most common pediatric medicine visit costs
— Medicare recipients: $102.07 for established patients ($88.34 for new patients)
— Other insurance holders: $25.52 for established patients ($22.08 for new patients)

Arizonans looking for cost-saving advocacy from their representatives will need to look further than current Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. The Democrat has vocalized objections to lowering drug prices. Getting rid of this provision—which is currently in national legislation before Congress—could endanger a broader expansion of Medicare coverage.