Geography
California vs Delaware: Statehood
Delaware became a state before California.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for statehood.
California
#31 · September 9, 1850 (#31)
Delaware
#1 · December 7, 1787 (#1)
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
#31
California
September 9, 1850 (#31)
California
California ranks 31st and Delaware ranks 1st nationally for statehood.
Related context
Historical Context
The statehood order mirrors westward expansion and regional settlement history.
What this means
California vs Delaware: Statehood in context
Delaware's statehood is December 7, 1787 (#1), compared with September 9, 1850 (#31) in California. When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.
California
September 9, 1850 (#31)
Delaware
December 7, 1787 (#1)
People also ask
California vs Delaware Statehood — common questions
QWhat is California's statehood?
California's statehood is September 9, 1850 (#31).
QWhat is Delaware's statehood?
Delaware's statehood is December 7, 1787 (#1).
QWhich state has a lower statehood — California or Delaware?
Delaware became a state before California.
More comparisons: California vs Delaware
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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Historical reference data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.