Abstract: Most grounded forecasts of the relatively near future rely on population projections as an integral component. Such projections typically apply contemporary ethnicity-specific rates of fertility, mortality and migration to derive estimates of entries and exits to the population. These analyses in this dissertation disaggregate demographic rates by two additional key factors for California -- nativity and education -- and examine trends in those rates since 1980 for California. Changes in fertility and domestic migration by nativity, ethnicity and education are identified. New projections based on these disaggregations are generated and validated against existing official projections, and anticipated changes in population size and composition in the state are described. Also relying on historical trends since 1980, the consequences associated with differing levels of educational attainment are explored, focusing on characteristics linked with labor market participation and opportunities, detailed by the characteristics utilized in the projection model. Drawing upon survey and administrative records, ethnicty-specific patterns of educational progression in public secondary and post-secondary systems traced. Analyses of secondary school failure are described by immigrant generation and risk characteristics, including measures of family structure, family resources, and linguistic isolation. Consideration of the costs for state educational support are contrasted with anticipated changes in state tax revenues and spending for corrections and social welfare programs under several scenarios of changes in educational progression. Savings at different parts of the life cycle are examined, and discounted returns over the life cycle estimated under varying assumptions.