Population characteristics can be indicators of social change. This indicator describes in general terms who is now living in rural California. The indicator covers a broad range of demographic characteristics, including gender, race, age, education, and home ownership. Changes in rural areas’ number of inhabitants, population age structure (distribution), ethnic diversity and educational levels can signal whether in the near-term they are likely to do well (or at least hold their own) in the face of these challenging economic times, or if difficulties ahead seem more likely for these communities.