Employment Expansion and Population Growth

Employment Expansion and Population Growth: The California Experience, 1900-1950 provides a detailed analysis of the dramatic population growth and employment trends that shaped California's development during the first half of the 20th century. The book focuses on the rapid increase in California's population, which grew nearly sixty-four-fold between 1850 and 1950, driven largely by in-migration during the Gold Rush and successive waves of migration from both other states and abroad. The study highlights how the state's employment expansion often matched population growth, although it was not without significant challenges, such as periods of high unemployment, particularly in the 1930s. The impact of World War II and its aftermath also plays a key role in the narrative, as California's workforce faced concerns over postwar unemployment, which, surprisingly, did not lead to the anticipated crisis. Instead, the state's economy continued to grow, fueled by increased demand in trade, service industries, and construction.

The book delves into the complexities of California's postwar economic landscape, examining the balance between population growth and employment opportunities. It raises critical questions about the state's future economic trajectory, considering factors such as resource availability, industrialization, and fluctuations in in-migration. While acknowledging limitations due to the lack of consistent employment data prior to 1939, the study uses available economic variables-like income, wage rates, production figures, and building permits-to infer trends and project future challenges. The text also explores the stability of employment as industrialization progressed and the impact of economic conditions on migration patterns. Through its analysis of historical trends and employment growth, the book offers valuable insights into the economic forces that shaped California's unique development and its future potential.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1954.