FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – California’s population shrinks, again.
The state population declined 0.3% last year, losing 117, 552 residents between Jan. of 2021 and 2022, according to the State’s Department of Finance.
California’s total population is now 39,185,605 residents.
Most counties lost population, including Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange.
Population growth remained strong in the Central Valley and the Inland Empire.
The counties of Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo, along the coast saw an increase in people, in part due to college students returning to campus, said state officials.
State officials blame the loss on declining birth rates, federal immigration policies, and Covid-19 deaths.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
