The primary driver of California’s population loss over the past few years has been its residents moving to other states.

California has long been the epicenter of population growth in the United States. While net migration losses were once concentrated among lower-income Californians, newly released data suggest that departures have spread beyond this group. And even as more people move out, fewer are moving in: the state is no longer a significant draw for people from other states of any age, education, or income.

According to the American Community Survey, from 2010 through 2021 about 7.7 million people moved from California to other states, while only 5.8 million people moved to California from other parts of the country.

According to State Department of Finance estimates, the state has lost residents to other states every year since 2000. (INT)

Story Date: April 14, 2023