Geography

California vs New York: Statehood

New York 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.
New York flag
New York
NY · Northeast
Winner
July 26, 1788 (#11)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

Visual comparison

CaliforniaSeptember 9, 1850 (#31)
New YorkJuly 26, 1788 (#11)

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

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

California #31 · September 9, 1850 (#31)
New York #11 · July 26, 1788 (#11)
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)
#11 New York flag New York
July 26, 1788 (#11)

California ranks 31st and New York ranks 11th nationally for statehood.

Related context

Historical Context

The statehood order mirrors westward expansion and regional settlement history.

What this means

California vs New York: Statehood in context

New York's statehood is July 26, 1788 (#11), 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)
New York
July 26, 1788 (#11)

People also ask

California vs New York Statehood — common questions

QWhat is California's statehood?

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

QWhat is New York's statehood?

New York's statehood is July 26, 1788 (#11).

QWhich state has a lower statehood — California or New York?

New York became a state before California.

More comparisons: California vs New York

Grouped tabs keep the deep-dive links tighter and easier to scan.

Full comparison

Data source and freshness

Data period
Historical reference data
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
Historical or civic reference field.