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.
“California’s population declined 0.54% to [39,028,571] people, a loss of over 210,000 people,” reported Roland Li and Yuri Avila for the San Francisco Chronicle on January 26.
A sharp decrease in migration to California and roughly 100,000 total coronavirus pandemic deaths led to statewide population drops for the first time in a century, starting in 2020.
San Francisco, and the entire Bay Area, lost population during the second year of the pandemic, and California’s population continued to fall for the third year in a row, according to state estimates [PDF] released Thursday.
Comparison With Census Data
The population estimate is remarkably similar (difference is <1,000 people) to what the U.S. Census Bureau had reported in December, posted here, although the Census put the loss much lower, at 0.29 percent.
California had a population of 39,029,342 on July 1, 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2022 national and state population estimates and components of change released Dec. 22, 2022.
[Planetizen exclusive: U.S. Population Growing Again in 2022 After Flatlining in 2021, Dec. 27, 2022]
Bay Area Population Loss
“The nine-county Bay Area saw some of the steepest population declines in the state — ranging from Napa’s loss of about 1,800 people to Santa Clara’s loss of over 16,500 people, second only to Los Angeles County’s 113,000-person plunge in the state,” add Li and Avila.
What's notable according to the table titled, “Population change by Bay Area county, 2021-22,” is that San Francisco's population loss of 4,400 people or 0.5percent during that period, down significantly from the prior year, was the lowest, percentage-wise, for the 9-county region. Marin, the region's second least populous county, led with a loss of 1.5 percent, followed by Napa (least populous) and San Mateo counties, with declines of 1.3 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively.
Chief Reason for Population Loss Remains Unchanged
While the numbers may fluctuate a bit from year to year, the chief cause of the population loss is remarkably consistent, note Li and Avila.
San Francisco’s, and the Bay Area’s, losses were driven by a net domestic migration [sic], as many residents left the region and state for cheaper housing options.
Related in Planetizen:
- California Continues its Losing Streak, January 3, 2023
- Five Takeaways From California’s 2022 Demographic Changes, January 1, 2023
- Two Demographic Firsts, Both Losses, for California, May 10, 2021
FULL STORY: S.F. population falls to lowest level in over a decade after second year of the pandemic
'By the Numbers': California Shows How to Reopen Safely
Unlike other states that lifted restrictions statewide after coronavirus cases plummeted, California replaced its regional stay-home order with a county-based blueprint, permitting counties to advance based on performance in three health metrics.
California's Population Might Be Peaking
Heretofore, the question was never if, but when, the nation's most populous state would reach 40 million.
Bay Area Ordered to Shelter in Place
Six Bay Area counties have taken drastic action to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus. "Please read this Order carefully. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both."
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
