More than a quarter of Californians live in or near poverty, and the longstanding divide between rich and poor poses a major challenge for our state and nation. PPIC builds understanding of what economic disparities mean for households and communities, while highlighting policies that can broaden opportunity and increase well-being.
Recent Content
View All →![photo - volunteers serve food to those in need](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/volunteers-serve-food-to-customers-in-need-320x213.jpg)
How Has Poverty in California Changed over Time?
Caroline Danielson
![photo - Mother and daughter working together on laptop](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/mother-and-daughter-working-together-on-laptop-320x213.jpg)
New FAFSA Form May Trigger Drop in College Enrollment
Selina Gomez, Kevin Cook
![photo - close up of woman's hand checking grocery receipt after shopping](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/close-up-of-womans-hand-checking-grocery-receipt-after-shopping-320x213.jpg)
Inflation Has Affected Family Spending
Sarah Bohn, Jenny Duan
![photo - Woman Carrying Her Baby and Clothes Shopping](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/woman-when-carrying-her-baby-showing-shop-owner-clothing-option-320x213.jpg)
California’s Cash-Based Safety Net
Caroline Danielson
![photo - Man Using Laptop at Home](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/man-using-laptop-at-home-320x213.jpg)
The End of Affordable Connectivity?
Joseph Hayes, Eric Assan
![photo - College Student Listening to Lecture](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/college-student-listening-to-lecture-320x213.jpg)
Does Transfer Reduce Regional Enrollment Gaps at CSU and UC?
Cesar Alesi Perez
![photo - Elderly Man in Hotel Room Looking out Window](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/elderly-man-in-hotel-room-looking-out-window-320x213.jpg)
Taking Stock of California’s Capacity to House Its Homeless Population
Cesar Alesi Perez
![photo - Nurse in Training Checks Patient's Pulse](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/nurse-in-training-checks-patients-pulse-320x213.jpg)
Testimony: Enhancing California’s Wage Data Can Help Improve Its Economic Future
Sarah Bohn
![photo - Child Helping Parent with Shopping](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/child-helping-parent-with-shopping-320x213.jpg)
California’s Nutrition Safety Net
Tess Thorman, Patricia Malagon
![photo - Closeup of stethoscope on patient's chest](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/closeup-of-stethoscope-on-patients-chest-320x213.jpg)
California’s Medi-Cal Expansion Is Lowering Poverty among Undocumented Immigrants
Patricia Malagon
![photo - Box of Food at Foodbank](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/close-up-box-of-food-at-foodbank-320x213.jpg)
Income Inequality in California
Tess Thorman, Daniel Payares-Montoya
![photo - Teenager Doing Paperwork](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/teenager-doing-paperwork-320x213.jpg)
Are California’s Foster Youth Claiming the State’s New Tax Credit?
Caroline Danielson
![photo - Mother Working on Paperwork at Home and Holding Baby](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mother-working-on-paperwork-at-home-and-holding-baby-320x213.jpg)
Are Eligible Undocumented Immigrants Claiming the CalEITC and Young Child Tax Credit?
Tess Thorman
![photo - Woman Holding Credit Card and Using Laptop at Home](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/woman-holding-credit-card-and-using-laptop-at-home-320x213.jpg)
As Internet Usage Grows, Californians Are Concerned about Online Security
Joseph Hayes
![photo - Electric Power Line Along a Rural Highway in Bridgeport, California](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/electric-power-line-along-rural-highway-in-bridgeport-california-320x213.jpg)
California’s Digital Divide
Joseph Hayes, Eric Assan, Niu Gao
![photo - Bunks in a Homeless Shelter](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/homeless-shelter-bunks-320x213.jpg)
An Update on Homelessness in California
Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Cesar Alesi Perez
![photo - Elementary Schoolboy in Classroom Sitting at Desk and Having Trouble with a Test](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/elementary-schoolboy-in-classroom-sitting-at-desk-and-having-trouble-with-a-test-320x213.jpg)
Learning Recovery for Homeless Students Lags behind Other High-Need Groups
Brett Guinan, Julien Lafortune
![photo - People in Line with Shopping Carts Waiting To Pay at Megastore](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/people-in-line-with-shopping-carts-waiting-to-pay-at-megastore-320x213.jpg)
Testimony: Most Californians Are “Pretty Happy” but a Growing Share Are “Not Too Happy”
Mark Baldassare
![photo - Mechanical Engineers Making Repairs](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/mechanical-engineers-making-repairs-320x213.jpg)
California’s Economy—Past, Present, and Future
Sarah Bohn
![photo - Woman at Apartment Door Activating Alarm as Leaving](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/woman-at-apartment-door-activating-alarm-as-leaving-320x213.jpg)
California’s Renters
Eric McGhee, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Hans Johnson
Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government
![photo - California State Capitol](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/california-state-capitol-survey-cag-320x213.jpg)
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government
Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Lauren Mora, Deja Thomas
![photo - Los Angeles skyline in downtown showing office buildings and traffic](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/los-angeles-california-downtown-showing-office-buildings-and-commuters-320x213.jpg)
Video: California’s Economic Future
Mary Severance
![photo - Elementary Students at Desks in Classroom](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/elementary-students-at-desks-in-classroom-320x213.jpg)
Testimony: California’s K–12 Digital Divide Has Narrowed, but Access Gaps Persist
Niu Gao
![photo - Father Walking Young Son to School](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/father-walking-young-son-to-school-320x213.jpg)
Chronic Absenteeism in K–12 Schools Remains Troublingly High
Emmanuel Prunty, Laura Hill
California’s Economic Future
![photo - Mothers Meeting Their Kids and Walking Them Home from the School Bus in Rural Neighborhood](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/mothers-meeting-their-kids-and-walking-them-home-from-the-school-bus-in-rural-neighborhood-320x213.jpg)
Learning Recovery Is Uneven for Urban and Rural School Districts
Saayili Budhiraja, Thomas Pearson, Emmanuel Prunty, Niu Gao
![photo - Pedestrians in Downtown Los Angeles](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pedestrians-in-downtown-los-angeles-320x213.jpg)
Priorities for California’s Economy
Sarah Bohn, Vicki Hsieh, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Jenny Duan ...
![photo - Nurse Using Stethoscope during Medical Examination](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nurse-using-stethoscope-during-medical-examination-320x213.jpg)
The Affordable Care Act Has Expanded Community Clinics in California
Shalini Mustala, Shannon McConville
![](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/hands-with-cellphone-and-economy-charts-1-320x213.jpg)
Making Sense of California’s Economy
Sarah Bohn, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Julien Lafortune, Vicki Hsieh
![photo - Los Angeles skyline in downtown showing office buildings and traffic](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/los-angeles-california-downtown-showing-office-buildings-and-commuters-320x213.jpg)
What’s in Store for California’s Economy?
Sarah Bohn
![photo - Nurse Checks Heartbeat of Patient in Doctor's Office](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/nurse-checks-heartbeat-of-patient-in-doctors-office-320x213.jpg)
In First-in-Nation State Law, All Low-Income Residents Qualify for Medi-Cal
Paulette Cha, Patricia Malagon
![photo - California Poppy Bloom on Grass Mountain Trail, Santa Barbara County](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/california-poppy-bloom-on-grass-mountain-trail-santa-barbara-county-320x213.jpg)
2023 Year in Review
Tani Cantil-Sakauye
![photo - Women Examining Shopping Receipt at Home](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/women-examining-shopping-receipt-at-home-320x213.jpg)
Video: Understanding the Reach of the California Earned Income Tax Credit
Mary Severance
![photo - Aerial View of Suburban Residential Homes in Bakersfield, California](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/aerial-view-of-suburban-residential-homes-in-bakersfield-california-320x213.jpg)
Many California Renters Remain Financially Stressed
Hans Johnson, Eric McGhee
Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government
![photo - California State Capitol](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/california-state-capitol-survey-cag-320x213.jpg)
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government
Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Lauren Mora, Deja Thomas
![photo - Elementary Age Girl Using Digital Tablet in Classroom](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/elementary-age-girl-using-digital-tablet-in-classroom-320x213.jpg)
How Have California School Districts Used the Emergency Connectivity Fund?
Joseph Hayes, Niu Gao
![photo - Student phot - Writing on Board with Teacher in Elementary School Math Class](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/student-writing-on-board-with-teacher-in-elementary-school-math-class-320x213.jpg)
Commentary: On California Funding Formula’s 10th Anniversary, Celebrate Progress but Double Down on Fairness
Julien Lafortune, Bruce Fuller
![photo - Woman Looking at Camera Surrounded by Other People in Profile](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/woman-looking-at-camera-surrounded-by-other-people-in-profile-320x213.jpg)
Most Californians Say Racial Bias Is Linked to Economic Inequality
Lauren Mora
![photo - US Flag Waving in the Wind](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/us-flag-waving-in-the-wind-320x213.jpg)
Is the American Dream in California Dying?
Dean Bonner
![photo - Mother and Daughters at Check Out Counter](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/mother-and-daughters-at-check-out-counter-320x213.jpg)
Video: Californians and Their Economic Well-Being
Mary Severance
![photo - Women Examining Shopping Receipt at Home](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/women-examining-shopping-receipt-at-home-320x213.jpg)
Understanding the Reach of the California Earned Income Tax Credit
Tess Thorman
![photo - Women Examining Shopping Receipt at Home](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/women-examining-shopping-receipt-at-home-320x213.jpg)
Policy Brief: Understanding the Reach of the California Earned Income Tax Credit
Tess Thorman, Mary Severance
![photo - Caregiver and Senior Woman Holding Hands](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/caregiver-and-senior-woman-holding-hands-320x213.jpg)
Video: Health Conditions and Health Care among California’s Undocumented Immigrants
Stephanie Barton
![photo - Mother and Daughters at Check Out Counter](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/mother-and-daughters-at-check-out-counter-320x213.jpg)
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Economic Well-Being
Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Lauren Mora, Deja Thomas
![photo - Grandmother Serving Food to her Granddaughters at Dining Room Table](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/grandmother-serving-food-to-her-granddaughters-at-dining-room-table-320x213.jpg)
A Look at Demographic Differences in Poverty across Regions in California
Patricia Malagon, Caroline Danielson
![photo - Old Lady in Soup Kitchen Line](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/old-lady-in-soup-kitchen-line-320x213.jpg)
Poverty in California
Sarah Bohn, Caroline Danielson, Sara Kimberlin, Patricia Malagon ...
![photo - Dishwasher Working in Restaurant Kitchen](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/dishwasher-in-restaurant-kitchen-320x213.jpg)
The Working Poor in California
Sarah Bohn, Caroline Danielson, Sara Kimberlin, Patricia Malagon ...
![photo - Man at Home Holding Device on Telehealth Appointment with Doctor](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/man-at-home-holding-device-on-telehealth-appointment-with-doctor-320x213.jpg)
Telehealth Usage among Low-income and Undocumented Californians
Shalini Mustala, Paulette Cha, Patricia Malagon
![photo - Young Girl Receiving Flu Shot from Doctor](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/young-girl-receiving-flu-shot-from-doctor-320x213.jpg)
School Vaccination Rates Vary across California
Shalini Mustala, Shannon McConville
![photo - Man in a counseling session](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/man-in-a-counseling-session-320x213.jpg)
Low-income and Undocumented Californians Struggle with Mental Health
Patricia Malagon, Paulette Cha, Shalini Mustala
![photo - Welder Using Torch in Factory](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/welder-using-torch-in-factory-320x213.jpg)
Wage Growth Is Struggling to Keep Up with Inflation
Jenny Duan, Daniel Payares-Montoya
![photo - Elementary age student working on tablet at table](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/elementary-age-student-working-on-tablet-at-table-320x213.jpg)
Did Pandemic Aid Narrow the Digital Divide?
Darriya Starr, Joseph Hayes, Niu Gao
![photo – School Classroom with Blackboard](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/school-classroom-with-blackboard-320x213.jpg)
Video: Funding Education in California
Stephanie Barton
![photo - South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Restoration Project, from US Army Corps of Engineers](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/south-san-francisco-bay-shoreline-restoration-project-320x213.jpg)
Fostering Fairness in Flood Risk Management
Sarah Bardeen
![photo - Young Woman Looking at Bill with Calculator and Laptop on Table](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/young-woman-looking-at-bill-with-calculator-and-laptop-on-table-320x213.jpg)
After a Three-Year Hiatus, Californians Will Resume Student Loan Payments Soon
Jacob Jackson
![photo - Technician Connecting Cables and Wires in Server Cabinet](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/technician-connecting-cables-and-wires-in-server-cabinet-320x213.jpg)
Video: Bridging California’s Digital Divide
Vicki Hsieh
![photo - Woman Looking at Shopping List in Grocery Store](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/woman-looking-at-shopping-list-in-grocery-store-320x213.jpg)
Federal Work Requirements Are Changing for Some CalFresh Participants
Tess Thorman, Caroline Danielson
![photo - Asian-American Girl Choosing Food in Supermarket](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/asian-american-girl-choosing-food-in-supermarket-320x213.jpg)
Policy Brief: Tracking CalFresh Participation among Young Children
Tess Thorman
![photo - Drone Shot of California State Capitol with Setting Sun and Tower Bridge in the Distance](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/california-state-capitol-with-setting-sun-and-tower-bridge-in-the-distance-320x213.jpg)
Video: A Conversation with Former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon
Mary Severance
![photo - Couple Working on Financial Paperwork Together at Home](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/couple-working-on-financial-paperwork-together-at-home-320x213.jpg)
Californians Hold Mixed Views on Their Personal Finances
Rachel Lawler
![photo - Young Girl at Home on Computer Doing Homework](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/young-girl-at-home-on-computer-doing-homework-320x213.jpg)
Student Achievement on California’s K–12 Assessments
Iwunze Ugo, Emmanuel Prunty
![photo - Three Students Walking to Class on California the State University Northridge Campus](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/three-students-walking-to-class-on-california-state-university-northridge-campus-320x213.jpg)
College Enrollment Is Holding Steady among First-time Students at UC and CSU
Hans Johnson, Jacob Jackson
![photo - Silhouette of College Graduate Climbing Steps](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/silhouette-of-college-graduate-climbing-steps-320x213.jpg)
Student Loan Debt in California
Jacob Jackson, Darriya Starr
![photo - California State Capitol](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/california-state-capitol-survey-cag-320x213.jpg)
Video: Californians and Their Government
Vicki Hsieh
![photo - Paramedics Taking Patient on Stretcher from Ambulance into Hospital](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/paramedics-taking-patient-on-stretcher-from-ambulance-into-hospital-320x213.jpg)
Mounting Concerns about Safety Net Hospital Closures
Shannon McConville
![photo - Child Eating an Apple and Sitting on Floor of Community Center](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/child-eating-an-apple-and-sitting-on-floor-of-community-center-320x213.jpg)
Keeping Students Fed When School Is Out
Caroline Danielson
![photo - California State Capitol](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/california-state-capitol-survey-cag-320x213.jpg)
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government
Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas
![photo - California State Capitol Building in Sacramento](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/california-state-capitol-building-in-sacramento-ca-usa-320x213.jpg)
Californians’ Racial Attitudes and the Reparations Task Force
Mark Baldassare
![photo - Female Student Studying in Library](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/female-student-studying-in-library-320x213.jpg)
College Gender Gap Starts Early and Extends across Races
Hans Johnson, Daniel Payares-Montoya, Marisol Cuellar Mejia
![photo - Traffic in Front of California State Capitol Building](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/traffic-in-front-of-california-state-capitol-building-320x213.jpg)
Improving Lives through Public Policy
Tani Cantil-Sakauye
![photo - High School Student Reading Paper in Front of Laptop at Home](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/high-school-student-reading-paper-in-front-of-laptop-at-home-320x213.jpg)
Financial Aid Applications for College Increase after New Law
Jacob Jackson
![photo - Father Holding Young Son as They Pick Fruit at Grocery Store](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/father-holding-young-son-as-they-pick-fruit-at-grocery-store-320x213.jpg)
Pandemic-Era CalFresh Expansions Lifted Many Families Out of Poverty
Patricia Malagon, Tess Thorman
![photo - Food Bank Volunteers Boxing Food for Distribution](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/food-bank-volunteers-boxing-food-for-distribution-320x213.jpg)
California’s Farmworkers and Their Children Are Vulnerable to Food Insecurity
Paulette Cha
![photo - Grandmother and Granddaughter on a Video Call with a Digital Tablet](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Grandmother-and-granddaughter-on-a-video-call-with-a-digital-tablet-1-320x213.jpg)
Video: Achieving Universal Broadband in California
Vicki Hsieh
![photo - Father Doing Financial Paperwork with Son on Lap](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/father-doing-financial-paperwork-with-son-on-lap-320x213.jpg)
Midway through California’s Extended Tax Season, Low-Income Filers Are Claiming Larger State Credits
Tess Thorman
![Flooded Township of Pajaro, pixel ca dwr 2023_03_12_KJ_0069_Pajaro_Levee_Break_Drone](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/flooded-township-of-pajaro-320x213.jpg)
Storms, Floods, and COVID-19 Have Worsened Long-standing Farmworker Housing Challenges
Paulette Cha
![photo - Patient in Waiting Room Completing Paperwork](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/patient-in-waiting-room-completing-paperwork-320x213.jpg)
As Medi-Cal Enters a Post-Pandemic Phase, Keeping Eligible Californians Enrolled Is a Key Concern
Caroline Danielson, Shannon McConville
![photo - Senior Woman at Home Receiving Healthcare](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/senior-woman-at-home-receiving-healthcare-320x213.jpg)
Video: The Impact of Health Insurance on Poverty in California
Mary Severance