This article lists census-designated places (CDPs) in the U.S. state of California. There is also a separate section listing former census designated places. CDPs are unincorporated communities lacking elected municipal officers and boundaries with legal status. The term "census designated place" has been used as an official classification by the U.S. Census Bureau since 1980. Prior to that, select unincorporated communities were surveyed in the U.S. Census.