Statehood Comparison
Geography

Alaska vs California: Statehood

California became a state before Alaska.

Alaska flag
Alaska
AK • West
January 3, 1959 (#49)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.
California flag
California
CA • West
Winner
September 9, 1850 (#31)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

Visual Comparison

Alaska January 3, 1959 (#49)
California September 9, 1850 (#31)

Related Context

Historical Context

The statehood order mirrors westward expansion and regional settlement history.

What This Means

Alaska vs California: Statehood in context

California has a statehood of September 9, 1850 (#31), compared with January 3, 1959 (#49) in Alaska. When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

Alaska
January 3, 1959 (#49)
California
September 9, 1850 (#31)

People Also Ask

Alaska vs California Statehood — Common Questions

Q What is Alaska's statehood?

Alaska's statehood is January 3, 1959 (#49).

Q What is California's statehood?

California's statehood is September 9, 1850 (#31).

Q Which state has a lower statehood — Alaska or California?

California became a state before Alaska.

Sources: Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset, with minimum wage data from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker.