For the first time, more Californians lived in cities than in rural areas.
In 1930, a modest bungalow in Los Angeles was valued around $5,000, while monthly rent averaged $25–$40. 1930 California Census
to the 1940 Census to see the full impact of the Great Depression. For the first time, more Californians lived in
Boarders and "lodgers" were extremely common, as families took in strangers to help pay the mortgage during tightening economic times. 🔍 Why it Matters Today For the first time
For the first time, the census asked if a household owned a radio—the "high-tech" luxury of the era.
The 1930 Census is a critical—and sometimes controversial—document regarding California’s ethnic and racial makeup.