Los Angeles Population Decline? Census Reveals Surprising US Population Shifts

According to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau, many of the largest metropolitan areas are experiencing slower growth. This change is attributed to a decline in immigration and a lower birth rate. Counties bordering Mexico have suffered the most pronounced population declines, indicating a significant shift in the country's demographic trends.

The census data is compiled using current data on births, deaths, and migration to calculate population change since the 2020 Census and produce an annual time series of population estimates.

Los Angeles County, despite still being the largest in the country with more than 4.5 million inhabitants, experienced the largest decline, with nearly 54,000 fewer inhabitants. Other counties like Miami-Dade in Florida, San Diego and Orange in California, and Kings County in New York are also among the ten with the largest population decline.

On the other hand, the states of the southern U.S. are experiencing rapid growth, with nine of the ten fastest-growing counties located in this region. Cities like Ocala, Florida, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, lead growth, driven in part by internal migration and favorable tax policies.

The three metropolitan areas with the largest percentage drops in population growth rates are located along the U.S.-Mexico border: Laredo, Texas; Yuma, Arizona; and El Centro, California. These areas experienced a decline in their growth rates, primarily driven by lower international migration.

The census indicates that nine out of ten counties saw a decline in net international migration between 2024 and 2025. This has led to a decrease or even a loss of population in counties that traditionally depended on international migration.

The Trump administration has prioritized family policies, including increasing the child tax credit and creating investment accounts for children, known as “Trump accounts”. At the same time, the enforcement of immigration policies has intensified, with an increase in deportations and the offering of economic incentives for undocumented immigrants to leave the country voluntarily.

Kristi Noem, former DHS secretary, stated in January that “nearly 3 million illegal immigrants have left the United States due to the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, including approximately 2.2 million self-deportations and more than 675,000 deportations”. These changes could have a significant impact on the future electoral landscape.

A recent study revealed that South Carolina added 5,427 residents over the age of 65 in 2025, the largest net increase in the country. Internal migration from other states, favorable tax policies, and a warmer climate are driving growth in the South. States like Florida and Texas do not collect state income tax, and South Carolina is working to gradually eliminate it.

These demographic changes could have significant political implications, as there is a growing trend of people moving from traditionally Democratic states to Republican states. This could affect representation in Congress and future election results, forcing Democrats to be more competitive in traditionally Republican states.