California is experiencing a notable outflow of residents for the first time since the pandemic, with over 50,000 individuals leaving the state last year, according to a recent report.
The California Department of Treasury has documented a 0.14% dip in the state’s population as of January 1, translating to a loss of about 54,000 people.
The population has now dwindled to approximately 39,593,000, marking the initial population decline in three years. Previous to this, there had been an uptick in residents for several consecutive years post-COVID-19.
Los Angeles County saw the most significant emigration, with around 64,000 residents relocating from the state’s largest county in 2025.
Out of California’s five largest counties, two have reported a decrease in population, and none witnessed an increase surpassing 0.4%.
Among California’s ten most populated cities, Sacramento noted the highest growth at 1.3%. In contrast, Los Angeles faced the steepest decline at 0.9%, while nearby Long Beach and Anaheim experienced slight losses of 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively.
California remains the most populous state, with a total of 39,593,000 residents. The growth rate has been stagnant, with no increase exceeding 230,000 since 2015.
Many who have departed cite affordability as a primary reason. A report from March mentioned that individuals tend to save significantly on housing when moving out of California.
“It’s clear that Californians are opting for more budget-friendly places,” the report states. “Typically, those leaving California relocate to areas where the monthly housing costs are about $672 lower than their previous locations.”
The report also illuminated the higher costs Californians face, noting they pay 11%, 40%, and 61% more for groceries, gas, and utilities compared to the national averages.
Gas prices, in particular, are strikingly high. California ranks highest in the nation for the average price of regular gasoline, with a statewide average of $6.08 per gallon as of Saturday.
