For the third year in a row, California saw its population drop, raising new concerns about how the much-discussed exodus could hurt the state’s political influence. The state’s population declined by around 37,000 people from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, or 0.1%. Net domestic out-migration continued, as 260,000 more people left California for other states than moved into California from elsewhere. And with these demographic changes, California risks losing its national clout, with less federal funding, an aging workforce and even diminished political power. “If L.A. is losing seats, then that does potentially impact Democrats more,” Mitchell said, noting that Democratic-leaning parts of the state are losing people faster than more conservative areas.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 23, 2023 15:44 UTC