Statehood Comparison
Geography

Arizona vs California: Statehood

California became a state before Arizona.

Arizona flag
Arizona
AZ • West
February 14, 1912 (#48)
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

Arizona February 14, 1912 (#48)
California September 9, 1850 (#31)

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for statehood.

Arizona #48 · February 14, 1912 (#48)
California #31 · September 9, 1850 (#31)
Best Worst

10 Best States — Statehood

Lower is better
#1 Delaware flag Delaware
December 7, 1787 (#1)
#2 Pennsylvania flag Pennsylvania
December 12, 1787 (#2)
#3 New Jersey flag New Jersey
December 18, 1787 (#3)
#4 Georgia flag Georgia
January 2, 1788 (#4)
#5 Connecticut flag Connecticut
January 9, 1788 (#5)
#6 Massachusetts flag Massachusetts
February 6, 1788 (#6)
#7 Maryland flag Maryland
April 28, 1788 (#7)
#8 South Carolina flag South Carolina
May 23, 1788 (#8)
#9 New Hampshire flag New Hampshire
June 21, 1788 (#9)
#10 Virginia flag Virginia
June 25, 1788 (#10)
Selected states
#48 Arizona flag Arizona
February 14, 1912 (#48)
#31 California flag California
September 9, 1850 (#31)

Arizona ranks 48th and California ranks 31st nationally for statehood.

Related Context

Historical Context

The statehood order mirrors westward expansion and regional settlement history.

What This Means

Arizona vs California: Statehood in context

California has a statehood of September 9, 1850 (#31), compared with February 14, 1912 (#48) in Arizona. When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

Arizona
February 14, 1912 (#48)
California
September 9, 1850 (#31)

People Also Ask

Arizona vs California Statehood — Common Questions

Q What is Arizona's statehood?

Arizona's statehood is February 14, 1912 (#48).

Q What is California's statehood?

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

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

California became a state before Arizona.

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; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes 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.