Were the 1980s the last decade when California was booming? (Los Angeles: employment, utilities)

[West of Encino]

I'm just going by population increases according to the census. In the 1980s, California's population added about 6 million people, the City of Los Angeles added about 500,000 people, and the County over a million. In the 1990s, California only added about 4 million people. Same with the 2000s. The County and City showed slow increases since then.

Judging by the huge population in the 1980s, I have to assume California was booming during that time. I didn't exist for most of the 80s, which is why I asked if it was the last decade when the state was booming.

[Ruth4Truth]

It all depends on how you define "booming". Population growth beyond a certain point isn't necessarily a good thing. If the state can provide solid employment for everyone who's there now, that would be "booming", in my book. Bigger isn't always better. Quality is preferable over sheer quantity.

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

It all depends on how you define "booming". Population growth beyond a certain point isn't necessarily a good thing. If the state can provide solid employment for everyone who's there now, that would be "booming", in my book. Bigger isn't always better. Quality is preferable over sheer quantity.

Right on, Ruth.

"Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell" - Edward Abbey

Perhaps the finest quote in all of modern civilization's follies.

[majoun]

The last time the entire state was booming. And the last decade in which the southern part of the state was booming, for sure.

[BeauCharles]

Knew at least a half dozen people from Iowa who moved to California during that decade (LA, OC, SF, San Diego and Santa Cruz). Getting a high paying job in defense industries, utilities, airlines and hospitals seemed to be quite easy back then. Most of them have have left the state now, but they really enjoyed their time here while it lasted (and it was a great launching point for their careers).

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Definitely. There was a certain energy in the air and a very positive feeling about the future. Not the current looming darkness.

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

Definitely. There was a certain energy in the air and a very positive feeling about the future. Not the current looming darkness.

Not dark a bit outside my window ...

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by nullgeo

Not dark a bit outside my window ...

Well, it's dark where I am. It's also 2330.

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Well, it's dark where I am. It's also 2330.

That's what you get for moving down south ...

[Steve97415]

You also have to ask yourself WHERE the population influx was coming from. The 1980's were also a period of rampant immigration, much of it illegal. Border security has been beefed up a lot since then.