Geography

California vs Maine: Statehood

Maine became a state before California.

California flag
California
CA · West
September 9, 1850 (#31)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.
Maine flag
Maine
ME · Northeast
Winner
March 15, 1820 (#23)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

Visual comparison

CaliforniaSeptember 9, 1850 (#31)
MaineMarch 15, 1820 (#23)

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

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

California #31 · September 9, 1850 (#31)
Maine #23 · March 15, 1820 (#23)
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
#31 California flag California
September 9, 1850 (#31)
#23 Maine flag Maine
March 15, 1820 (#23)

California ranks 31st and Maine ranks 23rd nationally for statehood.

Related context

Historical Context

The statehood order mirrors westward expansion and regional settlement history.

MetricCaliforniaMaine
Capital Sacramento Augusta Population 39,538,223 1,362,359 Land Area 163,696 sq mi 35,380 sq mi State Color Solid Blue Lean Blue

What this means

California vs Maine: Statehood in context

Maine's statehood is March 15, 1820 (#23), 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)
Maine
March 15, 1820 (#23)

People also ask

California vs Maine Statehood — common questions

QWhat is California's statehood?

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

QWhat is Maine's statehood?

Maine's statehood is March 15, 1820 (#23).

QWhich state has a lower statehood — California or Maine?

Maine became a state before California.

More comparisons: California vs Maine

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Full comparison
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Data source and freshness

Primary source
National Archives and state government references
Data period
Historical reference data
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
Historical or civic reference field.