As the sunsets behind Catalina Island, an orca comes to the surface after swimming off the coast of Orange County on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. For nearly a month, orcas have been swimming off Southern California, feasting on dolphins and attracting people to see these majestic mammals in nature. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG) 

Thirty-nine Septembers ago, a young reporter decided to try out California business journalism.

Somehow, I’m still here.

A key reason is the California economy rarely disappoints as fodder for a columnist, no less serving as grist for the Golden State’s numerous critics.

One thing I’ve found odd during my nearly four decades of watching the California business climate is a decided lack of what you might call “cheerleaders.”

Not that California is perfect. What place is?

So, useful suggestions should be appreciated. But the barbs are often partisan.

The “chamber of commerce types” tend to complain about the place that helped create their wealth. The business community’s typically right-leaning views frequently clash with the state’s left-leaning politics.

However, the constant tinkering by left-leaning policymakers – moves that often irk the Golden State’s executive suites – also can be seen as a critique of what is currently the world’s fourth-largest economy.

So, to honor my 39 years as a California journalist – and as a reminder of the Golden State’s lofty economic stature – let my trusty spreadsheet play cheerleader for the day.

Consider 39 measurements drawn from government data, industry statistics and various state-by-state rankings. These are demographic, livability and financial yardsticks in which California sits amongst the top 10 states.

They’re listed in rank order, with the top grades at the end. Not everyone will agree that these traits are all good qualities. But that’s California, for you.

The list

Life expectancy: 78 years, the 10th longest among the states, as measured by the Centers for Disease Control.

Education and health services: 19% of all California workers are in these fast-growing niches. That’s the 10th largest share, from government job stats.

Layoffs and dismissals: California bosses cut an average 1.2% of their staff each month – the No. 9 lowest rate, according to government job stats.

Safety: Residential crimes are reported at a rate of 13 per 100,000 residents – the ninth-lowest, says Omega Law.

Professional and business services: 15% of all California workers are in these good-paying office jobs – No. 8 share, per government job stats.

Quits: 2% of California workers voluntarily leave each month – the seventh-lowest rate, according to government job stats.

Healthcare quality: Medical care statewide was ranked seventh-best by U.S. News & World Report.

Youthfulness: 85% of the state’s population is under age 65 – the No. 7 largest share, from Census data.

Home appreciation: Up 624% over 39 years – No. 6 in the nation, according to a federal price index.

Hourly wages: Workers get $38.41 on average – the No. 5 highest pay, says government job stats.

Small business: There are 9.3 jobs at the typical California workplace, No. 5 lowest, from government employment stats.

Spending: California households spend $64,835 annually, per capita, which ranks 5th highest, according to government income data.

Coastlines: 3,427 miles of California land touch a body of water – No. 5 highest, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s tally.

High-level pay: $96,330 annually is made by California workers at the 75th percentile, the mid-point of the top half. That’s fourth-highest, according to government job statistics.

Weather: The nation’s fourth-best climate, as ranked by StateRanks.

Homebuilding: Developers submitted 61,143 single-family home permits last year – No. 4 highest, from Census data.

State parks: California’s got 139 – No. 4 highest – from World Population Review.

Worker productivity: 2.4% annual growth over 18 years – No. 3 highest, from government job stats.

Living on an unlimited budget: California was No. 3 in a poll by Clever Real Estate.

Minimum wage: It’s at least $16.50 an hour in California – third-highest, says the St. Louis Fed.

Veterans: 1.3 million residents who served our nation call California home. That’s third-most, from Statista.

Nightlife: California ranks second, by WalletHub’s calculations.

Job creation: 6.1 million workers added in 39 years. That’s No. 2 employment growth, according to government job statistics.

Place for women: California is the second-best state, according to Intimate Rose’s math.

Place to work: California has the second-strongest employee protections, Oxfam says.

Most desirable state: California ranked No. 2 in a poll by Clever Real Estate.

Information-industry jobs: 3% of all California workers are in these high-skill industries – the No. 2 share, from government job stats.

Exports: $194 billion of goods outbound annually from California – second-highest, says the St. Louis Fed.

Quality of life: California is No. 2 for livability as ranked by WalletHub.

We’re No. 1!

To conclude, here are 10 items where California topped the charts.

Home values: The $10.8 billion combined worth of all residences, from Zillow.

Sustainability:  Tops for preparedness in rankings from Oregon Generators.

Imports: $491 billion worth of foreign goods come in annually, according to the St. Louis Fed.

Growth: 672 firms on the latest list of 5,000 fast-growth businesses on the Inc. 5000.

Workplaces: 1.95 million employers from government job stats.

Diversity: Top ranking by World Population Review.

Auto sales: Californians bought 1.76 million new vehicles last year, says F&I Tools.

Fun things to do: Top-ranked for being entertained by StateRanks.

Tourism: Visitors spend $139 billion annually in the Golden State, according to WTFYI.

Innovation: CNBC says California is the top technology state.

Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at [email protected]

Related Articles

Related Articles