State of Latinos in California, 2026: A four-part report on the conditions shaping Latino well-being
About the Project
Latinos are central to California’s workforce and its future growth. However, deep and persistent disparities in wages, housing, health coverage, and environmental exposure continue to limit the full economic and social potential of Latino communities, ultimately shaping the state’s overall future. To illuminate these disparities and provide policymakers with actionable insight, the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) is publishing the State of Latinos in California, 2026: Unlocking California’s Potential by Closing Latino Opportunity Gaps, a comprehensive four-part report series examining the conditions shaping Latino well-being and the state’s future prosperity.
This report series builds a detailed picture of the conditions Latino communities experience in California in 2026. Together, these insights will guide local and state partners in strengthening policy design, resource allocation, and long‑term planning.
Report #1: State of Latinos in California, 2026: Unlocking California’s Potential by Closing Latino Opportunity Gaps
This first report examines population trends, workforce participation, education, housing, health care access, and climate risk to provide a clear picture of how Latino communities are faring across the state. Findings reveal that despite high participation and entrepreneurship, Latinos face persistent gaps in wages, housing stability, education, health coverage, and wealth-building.
Published: March. 26, 2026
Read the report
Report #2: California’s Latino Workforce, 2026
This report examines the critical role Latino workers play in powering California’s economy and the persistent barriers they face in the labor market. We will provide a deeper understanding of the industries, wages, and job quality of Latino workers across the state and selected regions.
Coming 2026!
Report #3: Homeownership and Housing Stability
This report examines disparities in homeownership and housing stability for Latino households in California. It will highlight structural barriers to Latino access to stable housing, including mortgage credit and housing affordability.
Coming 2026!
Report #4: Environment and Health
This report examines climate and health disparities in Latino neighborhoods in California by highlighting differences in exposure to extreme heat, air pollution, and related health outcomes.
Coming 2026!
Explore the data
Want more insights? Our report pulls from LPPI’s main data projects. Explore them and gain even more insights tailored to your work.
- Latino Data Hub: Explore data on critical issues such as demographics, health care access, education, income, and employment at latinodatahub.org.
- Latino Climate and Health Dashboard: Explore county-level factsheets covering climate and environmental health risks in California’s Latino neighborhoods at latinoclimatehealth.org.
- The Economic Recovery & Entrepreneurship Project: Explore our research portfolio on Latino entrepreneurship at latinoterep.com.
Webinars
Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming webinars!
Acknowledgements
These reports were made possible through the generous support of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, which provides core operating support for the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI), and with additional support by The James Irvine Foundation. The research team extends its gratitude to Chhandara Pech for supporting with data analysis, Ana Fung, Javier Murillo, Samantha Alejandre, and Yina Marin for their research and editing support, Amada Armenta, Belem Lamas, and Arturo Vargas Bustamante for their reviews, Marissa Esthimer for copy editing, and Adriana Corder and Angelina Wu for design support.
The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute acknowledges the Gabrielino and Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and Southern Channel Islands) and that their displacement has enabled UCLA’s flourishing. As a land-grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), Ahiihirom (Elders), and Eyoohiinken (our relatives’ nations), past, present, and emerging.
