California's Population: A Slow but Steady Comeback

California is experiencing a small but steady population increase for the third consecutive year. The growth, at just 0.05%, marks a positive shift following a significant decline during the pandemic.

Migration Patterns

Despite the overall growth, more people are leaving California than moving in from other states. The population increase is primarily due to:

• New births
• International migration

Factors Influencing Growth

A report highlights that:

• Changes in immigration policies are reducing the number of people moving to California from other countries.
• Regional variations exist, with some areas like the Central Valley growing, while others, such as the Sierra foothills and parts of Northern California, are seeing population declines.

Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County experienced a slight population drop, potentially attributed to:

• Wildfires
• Decreased international migration

Future Outlook

Experts predict that California's population growth will remain slow in the coming years due to:

• Continued immigration policy changes
• Normalization of death rates