blog post Who’s Leaving California—and Who’s Moving In? By Hans Johnson, Eric McGhee Feb 7, 2024 The primary driver of California's population loss over the past few years has been residents moving to other states. We examine the latest demographic data for those moving out of and into our state and discuss factors that underlie these decisions.
Report The Central Valley at a Crossroads: Migration and Its Implications By Joseph Hayes, Hans Johnson Nov 16, 2004 Tremendous population growth, much of it fueled by domestic and international migration, has already begun to transform large parts of the Central Valley. Although this influx of migrants is posing new environmental, economic, social, and political challenges, little is known about it or its effects on the region. In The Central Valley at a Crossroads: Migration and Its Implications, Hans Johnson and Joseph Hayes find that the valley’s migration patterns are remarkably complex and vary over time, by subregion, and according to the type of migration. They also find that each subregion has pursued policy strategies to address its specific challenges. Finally, they predict that migration patterns will continue to alter the entire valley’s character and profile for the foreseeable future.
California Counts, Report Movin’ Out: Domestic Migration to and from California in the 1990s By Hans Johnson Aug 1, 2000 Analyzes the unprecedented net outflow of California residents to other states during the 1990s. Summarizes the demographic characteristics of domestic migrants to and from California, discusses economic factors behind recent migration patterns, and considers likely scenarios for the near future.
Report Dynamics of Immigration: Return Migration to Western Mexico By Belinda Reyes Jan 1, 1997 The public cost of immigration is a matter of ongoing and sometimes intense political debate in California. One of the least understood issues in the debate is whether many of those who come to the United States return home and, if so, whether they differ from those who remain. Return migration has important ramifications for a number of policy concerns, including the composition of the immigrant population, the use of social services, and the potential for assimilation. To shed light on this issue, the author analyzes data on return migration for a sample of more than 42,000 immigrants from western Mexico - an area that accounts for a large percentage of California's immigrants.
blog post Where Are Californians Going When They Leave the Golden State? By Eric McGhee, Hans Johnson Feb 13, 2024 California continues to lose residents to other parts of the US, with the main beneficiaries being neighboring states. However, with the pandemic receding and more workers returning to the office, outmigration patterns have started to slow or even reverse.
blog post California’s Stalled Population Growth By Eric McGhee, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Hans Johnson Apr 26, 2021 Figures from the first half of 2020 show that California’s population growth continues to slow, driven in part by people moving to other states.
Explainer What’s Behind California’s Recent Population Decline—and Why It Matters By Hans Johnson, Eric McGhee, Carolyn Subramaniam, Vicki Hsieh Oct 2, 2023 California’s unprecedented population loss during the pandemic raises questions about what a shrinking or slowly growing population means for the state’s future.
blog post California’s Population Shifts May Lead to New Income Divides By Eric McGhee Aug 16, 2022 While housing costs are often cited as a reason for leaving California, they can also drive migration within the state—with potential consequences for income patterns across regions.
