California in the Data: Tech data that matters to California’s science and technology innovation economy

As a hub of technological innovation, California benefits from the contributions of the entire state, not just Silicon Valley, although the latter does lead the US in the number of patents awarded to its inventors. The top 3 US cities by the share of all patents awarded to to their residents are San Jose, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Thanks to the 2020 census, we have a pretty good idea of California’s population, and they’re a creative bunch, with one patent for every 783 people. California is #1 in the nation this year, narrowly edging out Massachusetts, which produces one patent for every 799 residents.