California’s recent population losses could provide an opportunity for state leaders to address the challenges facing the state.
Writing in the Mercury News, Jonathan Lansner describes some surprising twists in California’s 2022 demographic changes. According to Lansner, “California’s population suffered the nation’s No. 2 largest drop, off 113,649 in a year as the U.S. grew by 1.26 million overall.”
Lansner outlines five surprising developments. The rate of decline in 2022 cooled down significantly from 2021, when the state lost 358,662 people. The state ranked first in births, with 424,652 births or 12 percent of its population. “California’s 2022 births were 470% above pandemic-twisted 2020 – the No. 6 gain and topping 333% growth nationally.”
On the other end of the spectrum, California also saw the most deaths, at 318,497. However, this is 9 percent of the nation’s deaths, while California makes up 12 percent of the total U.S. population.
The state also saw massive growth from immigration, Lansner notes. “California’s new residents from other lands grew by 185% in 12 months, the largest jump among the states and topping 169% national growth.”
While population loss could signal economic decline, in a state with strained resources, “Flat population trends could give the state some needed breathing room in order for progress to be made in light of the complex headaches California faces, of which few have quick or easy solutions.”
FULL STORY: 5 surprises inside California’s population losses
Grim Demographics for Outer Suburbs in the East and Midwest
While migration bolsters the populations of outer suburbs in the West and the South, their counterparts in the East and the Midwest show signs of decline. That includes well-off areas.
Most Rural Counties Losing Population
Experts expect the 2020 Census to reveal some potentially startling trends of population decline in rural parts of the country.
DOT Memo Directs Transportation Funding to Communities With Higher Marriage and Birth Rates, Compliance with Immigration Officials and No Mask Mandates
The memo ties immigration enforcement to federal funding and prohibits mask or vaccine mandates.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service