Here’s how many people moved out of California in 2023 (2024)

FAQs

Here’s how many people moved out of California in 2023? ›

The study revealed more people continue to leave the Golden State. Overall, 75,423 Californians left in 2023. That's a lot of people, but still, it's crowded in the big cities and traffic continues to be a nightmare. However, it wasn't the state that saw the biggest population decline.

In 2021 — when coronavirus cases were still surging and more people were working remotely — California lost a net 355,648 people because of domestic migration. In 2023, that was down to 91,189.

Illinois, Michigan and California were among the top states with a high percentage of outbound moves in 2023. Additionally, North Dakota and Kansas saw an influx of people move out of state. For the sixth consecutive year, New Jersey had the most residents leave than any other state.

In 2022, California gained 475,803 residents but lost 817,669 residents. In 2022, California experienced a net loss of 341,866 residents, with 475,803 individuals moving into the state but 817,669 moving out, according to the U.S. Census.

For the fifth year in a row, Illinois had the greatest percentage of individuals leaving the state versus moving in, according to a study by North American Moving Services. According to the study, 63% of all moves in Illinois in 2023 were people leaving the state rather than moving into the state.

California is still losing residents, but not as quickly as at the start of the pandemic. More people still left California in 2023 than moved here from other states, but it was far less than previous years.

#1. Texas. This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

The housing crisis, worsening crime and climate concerns are at the forefront of the exodus. The state's housing and rental markets are among the costliest in the country, especially in southern cities like Los Angeles.

Several hotspots for fleeing Californians are Texas, Florida, Arizona, Tennessee and Nevada. What ties these states together? They are all very tax friendly. Texas and Florida experienced the highest population growth in 2023, according to Census data, with gains of 473,453 people and 365,205 people, respectively.

Where are Californians moving to in 2024? ›

Californians are primarily moving to Texas, Florida, and New York, seeking lower costs of living, job opportunities, and different lifestyles. These states have become popular choices for those leaving Cali, reflecting broader trends in migration motivated by economic, environmental, and personal factors.

California lost a net of 340,000 people to other states from 2021 to 2022, with a growing number of residents leaving for Florida and Arizona.

The states that lost the most population were New York, down around 100,000, and California, which lost 75,000. "Most of the growth or decline in all the states is due to domestic migration, people moving from/to other states. Some states grew, others declined, for many of the same reasons," Poston said.

Texans and Nevadans have been the most popular destinations for Californians looking to move out of the state. The next most popular states are Arizona, Oregon, and Washington.

NOTE: Population as of July of each year. Population gains are projected to continue. By 2025, California's population is projected to reach 42.5 million. Annual growth rates are expected to be just 1 percent, similar to growth experienced in the first decade of this century.