California's Net Domestic Migration Remains Negative

California's migration trends have been a topic of interest for many. The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau for 2023 provides insights into the number of people moving to and from the Golden State.

Understanding the Migration Figures

According to the data released on October 17, approximately 422,000 people relocated to California from other states, while a staggering 690,000 individuals moved to other states in the same year. This resulted in a net negative domestic migration of 268,000. The top five states that Californians chose to move to were Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, and Florida. These states accounted for about 39 percent of the domestic migration from California. Conversely, the top five states that people left to move to California were Texas, New York, Washington, Nevada, and Oregon. Interestingly, among the other three most populated states in the U.S., New York also experienced a net loss in domestic migration. In contrast, Florida and Texas saw gains in domestic migration.

Comparing Migration Trends Over the Years

Comparatively, in 2022, around 475,800 people moved to California from other states, while 817,700 people moved out, indicating a slight slowdown in domestic migration into and out of California since the previous year. In 2021, the state witnessed 433,400 people moving in, while approximately 841,000 people relocated to another state.

Immigration Data

Despite the net loss of people to other states in 2023, California saw a significant number of immigrants moving in. An estimated 315,700 people from foreign countries moved to California last year. In total, over a million people moved from abroad to the four most populated states in the U.S., including California, in 2023. In 2022, 303,100 people moved to California from abroad, and 188,700 people moved to the state from other countries in 2021.

California's Population Growth

Earlier this year, California leaders highlighted immigration as a crucial factor in the state's population growth. The California Department of Finance reported in April that for the first time since 2020, California experienced positive population growth in 2023, largely due to the rebound of "foreign legal immigration." In 2023, California's population grew by over 67,000 to 39.1 million. The rebound of foreign legal immigration resulted in a net gain of 114,200 persons in 2023, compared to 90,300 in 2022. However, the department cautioned against comparing its numbers to those of the Census Bureau, as they refer to different points in time. The state Department of Finance also noted that "Net domestic migration no longer offsets the population gains from natural increase and international migration."

Bottom Line

The migration trends in California are intriguing, with the state continuing to see a net loss in domestic migration but a gain in international migration. What are your thoughts on these trends? Do you think this pattern will continue in the future? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.