California population growth slowest in more than a decade

California's population grew less than 1% in the last year, the slowest growth rate in more than a decade as migration to the state barely kept up with the significant number of people leaving, according to state Department of Finance data released today.

Across the state, natural increases rather than migration accounted for the largest source of population growth. Los Angeles County, for instance, lost more people than it gained through migration but grew slightly to 10.4 million people from July 2008 to July 2009 because births outstripped deaths.

Los Angeles County gained 89,361 people through natural increases (147,319 births minus 57,958 deaths) but lost a net 21,736 people through migration.

Other Southern California counties also recorded slow rates of growth. Orange county's population grew to 3.1 million, San Bernardino County to 2 million, Riverside County to 2.1 million and Ventura County to 841,000.

The state's largest growth came in Imperial County, where both immigration and natural increases boosted the population by 2.2% to 181,772. 

Overall, California's population grew to 38,487,889, with 141,865 people leaving the state and 179,493 arriving. Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside and Santa Clara counties posted the highest population gains and account for more than half of the state's growth.

The state's population estimates were based on birth and death counts and data on driver's licenses, housing, school enrollment and federal income taxes.

-- Teresa Watanabe

Comments

[Craig Piper]

Hey everybody--it's okay to leave CA. Tired of spending 2+ hours in a car every day? Tired of not being able to afford a nice house in a nice neighborhood? Want to get to know people and be able to relax and take a nice drive in the country once in a while? If you answered "yes" to any or all of these questions, then move out of CA like the other smart people who are leaving or have left.

[Lily]

Thank heavens...

[Marcus]

The way our elected officials are representing the state, I wouldn't be surprised if at the end of the day in reflected Michigan.

I don't know where the H#*& we got these political junkies from, but their addicted to their seats like a crack addict is to the pipe. Know its killing them, and taking everyone else along the way, but cant walk away from it, until the damage is done, and then not want to take any responsibility for it.

What ever happened to ethics? these people probably went in with good intentions, but that first hit of influence sucked them in so deep, that they they are drunk captains, that would rather sink the whole ship taking everyone down, than just getting off before they took the drink.

[MarK]

we are not too golden anymore! more like bronze.

[NoCAGal]

Gee, I guess they all heard about the tax increases yet to come and ushered in by good ole Arnie and his Dem party! Be prepared to be taxed on everything! Yes! Everything! No wonder no one wants to move to good ole CA! In fact, I'm leaving myself! Commie country here.....bye, bye CA! You won't be missed!

[Anna O. Zacher]

Now, if one could reduce that birth-rate., and set the standard, as California is wont to do, for other States to do so...

[lola]

California would be losing a lot more people if they were able to sell their homes.

[Westside Resident]

Thank GOD!!!

[K.M. Coste]

Well yeah, the state is going down the tubes.

[Manuel]

This is temporary. California will be America's first "Mexican/Central American majority" state. The critical mass is already here. Done deal.
The ramifications are staggering. California has the world's 8th largest economy, the nation's most presidential electoral votes, the largest amount of representatives in The House, major world trade ports, Silicon Valley, and is the West Coast gateway to lucrative Chinese trade...all the more important since China will become the world's largest economy in a couple of decades.
Truly a massive demographic coup. North America is beginning the process of massive (re)Mexicanization. As California goes, so goes the nation.

[James]

This is the best news I have heard in a while. Seems like a dozen Bostonians refugees move into Santa Monica daily. The said thing is that it's probably the CA natives that are leaving.

[Maury]

Time to leave this state. You don't want to go under with it. You can live in OR for a fraction of what you pay in CA. I don't understand why some people let themselves get to the point of homelessness just to stay here. You can keep the weather, I'd rather have money in the bank instead of it going to these greedy state politicians.

[Tina]

because don't let their bussiness grow,,,( as massage ,tanning,,,) why police or alway there,,,why don't they chasing many killer,murder and molest or gang,,they alway after those FEMALE,,,,they can't work and no one want to spend money,,and California grow slow..slow,,,,( chicken,,,,,,chicken,,,)

[kanank]

it sure doesn't look that way on the freeways or grocery stores. still, way too many people in California. And I don't like it . Please stop the population growth and save the planet.

[No More Spin]

Don't hide it, native-born Americans are fleeing LA & CA by the hundreds of thousands per year, and being replaced by immigrants from the Third World.

CA dream? Say hello to the CO, TX or WA dreams! ;-)

[SeanBoy]

Not even the weather is enough for people to stay in Cali anymore.

[Glenda]

I for one am please to hear this. California is to over populated anyway.

People are moving out of this state too, in record numbers, because even with the housing prices dropping, they are still every high to afford.

[LA Native]

Two words: "THANK GOD"

[Tirau]

Honestly, we need to stabilize California's population- there just isn't enough water for millions and millions of people here. We shouldn't cover what remains of our open space with subdivisions and other development, either. California was an Eden for millenia- it was only after intensive settlement over the last two hundred years that the blazing poppy fields were paved over and fertile valleys where grizzlies roamed were plowed up, never to be seen again.

[Joe]

I love this state, and I'm never leaving. And to all of you that are leaving don't let the door hit you on the way out. Good riddance

[socali]

Yes, California is the worst state to live. Please leave immediately. If you are a surfer, it is so much better in North Carolina so you should move there quickly. The people complaining about California are the kooks that moved here from the mid-west and messed it up with the small town values. I miss the "welcome to California, now go home" stickers.

[anon]

California is becoming the "new south".

[SCHMENDRIC]

Sad, but true. Californian's are leaving to find affordable housing, jobs, lower taxes. The Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex is the recipient of many of these emigres, as well as Houston and San Antonio. Part of the reason Texas' economy has held up so well in this downturn. Texas has plenty of multi million-dollar mansions, but it also has housing that fits most people's pocketbooks. Other states are also the recipients of this CA outmigration

[ferenc]

if you count illegal immigration as natural, then there was a natural increase.the rats have been deserting the la, ca ship for about 30 years now.

[ttesq]

Does this "study" of births and migration take into account the influx of illegals and possible statistical data on same for the past 10 years.
It would be more interesting to see if the State economics were headed further under water based on the economic class and education level of those leaving the State vs the same crieria for the influx.