The following is from Google AI.
No, Texas has not lost residents overall; it continues to see significant population growth, adding hundreds of thousands of people annually, but the rate of growth from domestic migration (people moving from other U.S. states) has slowed, with more people leaving for other states like Florida and California, though international migration largely offsets these losses, keeping Texas a top destination for new residents.
Key Trends
- Overall Growth Continues: Texas added nearly 563,000 residents between July 2023 and July 2024, more than any other state, bringing its population over 31 million.
- Domestic Migration Slowdown: The influx of people from other U.S. states (domestic migration) has decreased, with more Texans moving out than in to cities like Dallas and Houston compared to previous years.
- Who’s Leaving: In 2023, about 478,000 people left Texas, with California, Florida, Colorado, and Oklahoma being popular destinations.
- Who’s Coming: Net international migration is a major growth driver, with hundreds of thousands arriving from abroad, and other states like California and Florida also sending significant numbers of people to Texas.
- Shift in Hotspot Status: While still growing fast, Texas is seeing a slowdown in its share of domestic migrants compared to recent years, with Florida and other Sun Belt states also experiencing similar trends.
Texas’ favorite Bogey State: California – AI
Yes, California has started gaining residents again after pandemic-era declines, with positive growth reported for 2023, 2024, and into 2025, driven by natural increase (births outpacing deaths) and rebounding legal immigration, though overall growth remains modest compared to pre-pandemic levels, showing a reversal of the recent “exodus” trend.
Key Details on Recent Growth (2023-2025)
- 2023: The state saw a gain of about 67,000 residents, reversing losses from prior years.
- 2024: Population grew by around 108,000 (about 1%), adding to the momentum.
- 2025: Growth continued, adding roughly 19,200 people (0.05%) from July 2024 to July 2025, according to the California Department of Finance (Dof).
- Factors: The increase is attributed to more births than deaths, a growing senior population, and improved data on legal immigration, as noted by the California Department of Finance.
Trends & Context
- Post-Exodus Rebound: This growth marks the end of a period of population decline during the pandemic, with the trend reversing in 2023 and continuing into 2024.
- Slow but Steady: While positive, the growth rate remains relatively low compared to historical figures, with net domestic migration still negative (more people leaving for other states than moving in), but international migration and natural increase offsetting these losses.
- Local Variation: Some areas, like Los Angeles County, have seen significant numeric increases, while some cities and areas still experience population loss.