Statehood Comparison
Geography

California vs Hawaii: Statehood

California became a state before Hawaii.

California flag
California
CA • West
Winner
September 9, 1850 (#31)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.
Hawaii flag
Hawaii
HI • West
August 21, 1959 (#50)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

Visual Comparison

California September 9, 1850 (#31)
Hawaii August 21, 1959 (#50)

Related Context

Historical Context

The statehood order mirrors westward expansion and regional settlement history.

What This Means

California vs Hawaii: Statehood in context

California has a statehood of September 9, 1850 (#31), compared with August 21, 1959 (#50) in Hawaii. When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

California
September 9, 1850 (#31)
Hawaii
August 21, 1959 (#50)

People Also Ask

California vs Hawaii Statehood — Common Questions

Q What is California's statehood?

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

Q What is Hawaii's statehood?

Hawaii's statehood is August 21, 1959 (#50).

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

California became a state before Hawaii.

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.