Geography
Alabama vs California: Statehood
Alabama became a state before California.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for statehood.
Alabama
#22 · December 14, 1819 (#22)
California
#31 · September 9, 1850 (#31)
Best
Worst
10 Best States — Statehood
Lower is better
#1
Delaware
December 7, 1787 (#1)
Delaware
#2
Pennsylvania
December 12, 1787 (#2)
Pennsylvania
#3
New Jersey
December 18, 1787 (#3)
New Jersey
#4
Georgia
January 2, 1788 (#4)
Georgia
#5
Connecticut
January 9, 1788 (#5)
Connecticut
#6
Massachusetts
February 6, 1788 (#6)
Massachusetts
#7
Maryland
April 28, 1788 (#7)
Maryland
#8
South Carolina
May 23, 1788 (#8)
South Carolina
#9
New Hampshire
June 21, 1788 (#9)
New Hampshire
#10
Virginia
June 25, 1788 (#10)
Virginia
Selected states
#22
Alabama
December 14, 1819 (#22)
Alabama
#31
California
September 9, 1850 (#31)
California
Alabama ranks 22nd and California ranks 31st nationally for statehood.
Related context
Historical Context
The statehood order mirrors westward expansion and regional settlement history.
What this means
Alabama vs California: Statehood in context
Alabama's statehood is December 14, 1819 (#22), compared with September 9, 1850 (#31) in California. When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.
Alabama
December 14, 1819 (#22)
California
September 9, 1850 (#31)
People also ask
Alabama vs California Statehood — common questions
QWhat is Alabama's statehood?
Alabama's statehood is December 14, 1819 (#22).
QWhat is California's statehood?
California's statehood is September 9, 1850 (#31).
QWhich state has a lower statehood — Alabama or California?
Alabama became a state before California.
More comparisons: Alabama vs California
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Data source and freshness
Primary source
Data period
Historical reference data
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
Historical or civic reference field.