Domestic Migration

Blurred close-up of movers in blue coveralls unloading cardboard boxes from moving van.

Population Losers

California's population dipped below 39 million as of July, according to the Census Bureau, after seeing its net domestic migration loss this year exceed last year's. Only New York has seen a greater loss as a percentage of population.

December 28, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

U-Haul moving van parked by a curb in San Francisco with mattress leaning against it

More People Are Leaving Coastal Cities

Rising housing costs and the growth of more urbanized, amenity-rich small metros are driving college-educated workers away from “superstar cities.”

May 16, 2023 - The New York Times

Concrete wall with crack running down the middle painted red on one side and blue on the other

Election 2024: Red vs. Blue States

In a speech on Sunday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, likely Republican presidential contender Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida said that the pandemic was “a great test in governing philosophies."

March 8, 2023 - The Washington Post

Aerial view of coastline with homes in Encinitas, California

State Estimates Show Third Year of Population Loss for California

Demographic data from the California Department of Finance released last month shows a third consecutive year of population loss, mirroring Census data. Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties saw the highest numeric losses.

February 5, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

The San Francisco Bay Area is visible from San Carlos, across the bay to the East Bay. Mount Diablo looms in the background.

California Continues its Losing Streak

California's population continued to shrink for a third consecutive year according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimates for the year ending July 2022, but business columnist Jonathan Lansner saw glimmers of hope in the data.

January 3, 2023 - The Mercury News

People biking across the Queensboro Bridge

U.S. Population Growing Again in 2022 After Flatlining in 2021

The U.S. Census released new population estimates last week, showing an increase in population growth just a year after national population growth crawled to an unprecedented halt.

December 27, 2022 - James Brasuell

Miami and Key Biscayne

The Great American Exodus: A Conservative's Perspective

During his keynote speech on September 11 at the National Conservatism Conference in Miami, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis describes the demographic shifts in America since he became governor in 2019 in what he calls the 'Great American Exodus.'

September 27, 2022 - The Wall Street Journal

Empty New York City street during the COVID-19 pandemic with #NYSTRONG billboard in foreground.

Pandemic-Era Big City Population Loss More Dramatic Than We Thought

A new analysis indicates that many big cities saw their biggest population declines in at least a decade, with suburbs also showing a slowdown in growth.

July 13, 2022 - Brookings

Los Angeles, California

Two Demographic Firsts, Both Losses, for California

The nation's most populous state learned from the Census Bureau last month that it would lose a congressional district for the first time in its history. On Friday, it revealed that 2020 was the first year since 1850 to experience a population loss.

May 10, 2021 - CALmatters

Los Angeles

California's Population Might Be Peaking

Heretofore, the question was never if, but when, the nation's most populous state would reach 40 million.

May 26, 2020 - CALmatters

Welcome Sign

Leaving New York

Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau showed New York with an estimated population of 19.5 million people as of July 1, 2019, making it the fourth largest state in the country, but also showed that New York’s population dropped.

February 4, 2020 - New York State Senate

School Chlidren

2019 Year-End Census Estimate: Slowest Growth in 100 Years

The 12-month period ending July 1, 2019, saw the lowest population growth rate, 0.5 percent, since 1918, reported the U.S. Census Bureau on Monday. Natural increase (births minus deaths) was the lowest in decades. Ten states saw population declines.

January 5, 2020 - U.S. Census Bureau

Sacramento

Why Is It Taking So Long for California's Population to Reach 40 Million?

It was thought that California's population would reach 40 million two summers ago, but growth continues to slow, setting records. Net migration, which includes domestic and international movement, was negative for the first time since 2010.

January 2, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Sign

California Migration Boosts Nevada Population Above 3 Million

Californians fleeing the nation's highest housing prices were key to Nevada's growth according to newly released Census data. The Las Vegas Review-Journal's reporter, editorial board, and readers all had something to say about the newcomers.

November 30, 2019 - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Condos Smart Growth

Study: Housing Crisis Stems from Inequality (Not Zoning)

A new paper examines the impacts of broad economic trends—like inequality, job markets, and migration—on housing markets in the nation's major metropolitan areas.

March 25, 2019 - The Planning Report

Hotel California

California Population Growth Continues to Slow

The latest demographic data released Friday by the state's demographic unit shows shows an increase of 0.54 percent, one of the lowest on record, as birth rates drop, death rates increase, and more people leave the state than arrive from others.

December 28, 2018 - California Department of Finance

Santa Monica Bikes

Sometime This Summer, California's Population Tops 40 Million

Rather than projecting when the 50 million milestone will be reached, demographic and political indicators predict the state's population is more likely to decline, according to Joe Mathews of Zócalo Public Square.

July 23, 2018 - Zocalo Public Square

Water Emergency Transportation Authority

Dismal Poll Findings for Bay Area: Half the Respondents Want to Leave

To paraphrase Bill Clinton, it's the housing, stupid! In addition to the troubling findings of the Bay Area Council poll, a California housing report found that Silicon Valley had the highest percentage of residents leaving their counties.

June 6, 2018 - The Mercury News

San Francisco

Bay Area Home Prices Rise Despite Out-Migration

Kathleen Pender, business columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, points to two reasons why home prices rise amidst a Bay Area exodus to other states. On a state level, out-migration shows California's strong but dysfunctional economy.

May 13, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

Leaving California

California Has Been Shedding Residents—For Decades

The state Legislative Analyst's Office looks at California's out-migration data. Every year since 1990, more Californians left for other than states than arrive. Which states are sending their residents here, and where are Californians fleeing to?

March 3, 2018 - California Legislative Analyst's Office

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