{"id":223016,"date":"2025-09-13T07:46:22","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T07:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/223016\/"},"modified":"2025-09-13T07:46:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T07:46:22","slug":"39-reasons-to-cheer-californias-economy-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/223016\/","title":{"rendered":"39 reasons to cheer California\u2019s economy \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AsAs the sunsets behind Catalina Island, an orca comes to the surface after swimming off the coast of Orange County on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. For nearly a month, orcas have been swimming off Southern California, feasting on dolphins and attracting people to see these majestic mammals in nature. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register\/SCNG)<\/p>\n

Thirty-nine Septembers ago, a young reporter decided to try out California business journalism.<\/p>\n

Somehow, I\u2019m still here.<\/p>\n

A key reason is the California economy rarely disappoints as fodder for a columnist, no less serving as grist for the Golden State\u2019s numerous critics.<\/p>\n

One thing I\u2019ve found odd during my nearly four decades of watching the California business climate is a decided lack of what you might call \u201ccheerleaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not that California is perfect. What place is?<\/p>\n

So, useful suggestions should be appreciated. But the barbs are often partisan.<\/p>\n

The \u201cchamber of commerce types\u201d tend to complain about the place that helped create their wealth. The business community\u2019s typically right-leaning views frequently clash with the state\u2019s left-leaning politics.<\/p>\n

However, the constant tinkering by left-leaning policymakers \u2013 moves that often irk the Golden State\u2019s executive suites \u2013 also can be seen as a critique of what is currently the world\u2019s fourth-largest economy.<\/p>\n

So, to honor my 39 years as a California journalist \u2013 and as a reminder of the Golden State\u2019s lofty economic stature \u2013 let my trusty spreadsheet play cheerleader for the day.<\/p>\n

Consider 39 measurements drawn from government data, industry statistics and various state-by-state rankings. These are demographic, livability and financial yardsticks in which California sits amongst the top 10 states.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re listed in rank order, with the top grades at the end. Not everyone will agree that these traits are all good qualities. But that\u2019s California, for you.<\/p>\n

The list<\/p>\n

Life expectancy: <\/strong>78 years, the 10th longest among the states, as measured by the Centers for Disease Control.<\/p>\n

Education and health services: <\/b> 19% of all California workers are in these fast-growing niches. That\u2019s the 10th largest share, from government job stats.<\/p>\n

Layoffs and dismissals: <\/b>California bosses cut an average 1.2% of their staff each month \u2013 the No. 9 lowest rate, according to government job stats.<\/p>\n

Safety: <\/b>Residential crimes are reported at a rate of 13 per 100,000 residents \u2013 the ninth-lowest, says Omega Law.<\/p>\n

Professional and business services:<\/b> 15% of all California workers are in these good-paying office jobs \u2013 No. 8 share, per government job stats.<\/p>\n

Quits: <\/b> 2% of California workers voluntarily leave each month \u2013 the seventh-lowest rate, according to government job stats.<\/p>\n

Healthcare quality: <\/b> Medical care statewide was ranked seventh-best by U.S. News & World Report.<\/p>\n

Youthfulness: <\/b> 85% of the state\u2019s population is under age 65 \u2013 the No. 7 largest share, from Census data.<\/p>\n

Home appreciation: <\/b>Up 624% over 39 years \u2013 No. 6 in the nation, according to a federal price index.<\/p>\n

Hourly wages: <\/b> Workers get $38.41 on average \u2013 the No. 5 highest pay, says government job stats.<\/p>\n

Small business: <\/b> There are 9.3 jobs at the typical California workplace, No. 5 lowest, from government employment stats.<\/p>\n

Spending:<\/b>\u00a0<\/strong>California households spend $64,835 annually, per capita, which ranks 5th highest, according to government income data.<\/p>\n

Coastlines: <\/b> 3,427 miles of California land touch a body of water \u2013 No. 5 highest, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s tally.<\/p>\n

High-level pay:<\/b> $96,330 annually is made by California workers at the 75th percentile, the mid-point of the top half. That\u2019s fourth-highest, according to government job statistics.<\/p>\n

Weather: <\/b>The nation\u2019s fourth-best climate, as ranked by StateRanks.<\/p>\n

Homebuilding: <\/b>Developers submitted 61,143 single-family home permits last year \u2013 No. 4 highest, from Census data.<\/p>\n

State parks: <\/b>California\u2019s got 139 \u2013 No. 4 highest \u2013 from World Population Review.<\/p>\n

Worker productivity: <\/b> 2.4% annual growth over 18 years \u2013 No. 3 highest, from government job stats.<\/p>\n

Living on an unlimited budget: <\/b>California was No. 3 in a poll by Clever Real Estate.<\/p>\n

Minimum wage: <\/b>It\u2019s at least $16.50 an hour in California \u2013 third-highest, says the St. Louis Fed.<\/p>\n

Veterans: <\/b> 1.3 million residents who served our nation call California home. That\u2019s third-most, from Statista.<\/p>\n

Nightlife: <\/b>California ranks second, by WalletHub\u2019s calculations.<\/p>\n

Job creation: <\/b>6.1 million workers added in 39 years. That\u2019s No. 2 employment growth, according to government job statistics.<\/p>\n

Place for women:\u00a0<\/strong>California is the second-best state, according to Intimate Rose\u2019s math.<\/p>\n

Place to work: <\/b>California has the second-strongest employee protections, Oxfam says.<\/p>\n

Most desirable state:\u00a0<\/b>California ranked No. 2 in a poll by Clever Real Estate.<\/p>\n

Information-industry jobs: <\/b> 3% of all California workers are in these high-skill industries \u2013 the No. 2 share, from government job stats.<\/p>\n

Exports: <\/b> $194 billion of goods outbound annually from California \u2013 second-highest, says the St. Louis Fed.<\/p>\n

Quality of life: <\/b>California is No. 2 for livability as ranked by WalletHub.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re No. 1!<\/p>\n

To conclude, here are 10 items where California topped the charts.<\/p>\n

Home values: <\/b>The $10.8 billion combined worth of all residences, from Zillow.<\/p>\n

Sustainability: <\/b>\u00a0Tops for preparedness in rankings from Oregon Generators.<\/p>\n

Imports: <\/b>$491 billion worth of foreign goods come in annually, according to the St. Louis Fed.<\/p>\n

Growth: <\/b> 672 firms on the latest list of 5,000 fast-growth businesses on the Inc. 5000.<\/p>\n

Workplaces: <\/b>1.95 million employers from government job stats.<\/p>\n

Diversity: <\/b> Top ranking by World Population Review.<\/p>\n

Auto sales: <\/b>Californians bought 1.76 million new vehicles last year, says F&I Tools.<\/p>\n

Fun things to do:<\/b> Top-ranked for being entertained by StateRanks.<\/p>\n

Tourism: <\/b>Visitors spend $139 billion annually in the Golden State, according to WTFYI.<\/p>\n

Innovation: <\/b>CNBC says California is the top technology state.<\/p>\n

And some great California scenery \u2026<\/p>\n