What Factors Are Affecting California Population Changes?

The last few years have been difficult for California's population growth. In fact, several factors have caused the population to not grow at anticipated rates. Just how much? The changes only total to a meager increase of 0.05%. People moving, the birth rate, and the death rate have significantly impacted the California population.

Will you be among those planning on making a move? How much do the decisions of those who leave affect the state's numbers?

People Leaving the State

First, the decline in California population has those moving out of state as a major factor. In fact, in 2019, more than 650,000 moved away to other states. While some of this may include international migrants who first emigrate to California and then move elsewhere later, a significant number come from people tired of the state's woes. Too high is often the complaint of those moving – too high for taxes, cost of living, and housing.

People Moving to California

Though people leaving the state contributes a negative value to the population, those moving into the state add a positive value. Adding these values together gives the net migration amount. From July 2019 through July 2020, this net migration was -135,600, which means that many more people left California than moved in.

Declining Birth Rate

New Californians don't have to move to the state. Births still add to the population. However, a lower than expected birth rate has caused this value to fall short of 100,000 people. While the state added 454,920 infant Californians in 2018, the fertility rate of the state falls behind other locations. California's fertility rate was the 10th lowest in the country.

Possible reasons for the birth rate decline could include people choosing to not have children and an aging population in the state.

Pandemic Deaths

Death comes to everyone, but it shouldn't come too soon. However, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has caused too many Californians to succumb to the virus prematurely. As of January 2021, 37,118 Californians died from COVID-19. Sadly, this number continues to increase daily, thus changing the population numbers of the state grimly.

Are You Planning to Become Part of the California Population Change Through an Upcoming Move?

Are you planning to become one of the hundreds of thousands of Californians who have left the state within the last year? Get help with the process by contacting us at I Want to Move Out of State. As the California population continues to ebb and flow, we will do whatever we can to make relocation for people easier by getting top dollar for residents' properties in the state. Giving them that extra money they need for the move. Let us be your first call when you decide to move to another state.