Calif. Estimates White And Latino Populations In State Now Equal

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — State demographers estimate that whites and Latinos are now an equal share of California's population, with Latinos poised to become a plurality by the end of the year.

Latino leaders planned a modest rally Monday at the state Capitol to mark the milestone, which researchers at the state Department of Finance earlier had projected would be achieved mid-year.

State Department of Finance demographer Bill Schooling says "the numbers are very, very close." Officials do not plan to estimate the exact day when Latinos begin overtaking whites.

Whites and Latinos each comprise about 39 percent of California's population after a long-running demographic shift that already has altered politics, the economy and culture.

California would become the second state, behind New Mexico, in which Latinos are the largest ethnic group.