California Exodus Continues as Millions Flee Newsom's Policies

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According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, California has seen a massive exodus of residents under Governor Gavin Newsom's leadership, with over 1.7 million people leaving the state for other parts of the country since 2020. Major counties like Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Clara, and Orange County have all experienced significant population declines as residents flee high taxes, crime, homelessness, and other issues plaguing the state.

Why it matters

The dramatic population decline in California's largest counties is a clear indictment of the policies and governance under Newsom's administration. As residents leave in droves for other states, it highlights the failure of the Democratic leadership to address the state's pressing problems and maintain a high quality of life for its citizens.

The details

According to the census data, Los Angeles County alone has lost over 322,000 residents since 2019-2020, while other major counties like Alameda, San Diego, Santa Clara, and Orange County have also seen significant declines. In just one year from 2024-2025, over 174,000 people moved out of these counties to other parts of the country. The cumulative outmigration from 2020-2025 totals nearly 1.7 million residents, equivalent to the entire population of a city the size of Phoenix.

• The U.S. Census Bureau released its population estimates for 2025 in March 2026.
• From 2024-2025, over 174,000 people moved out of major California counties to other parts of the country.
• Since 2020, nearly 1.7 million residents have left the state of California.

What’s next

The continued population decline in California will likely have far-reaching implications for the state's economy, tax revenue, and political landscape. It remains to be seen whether Newsom and the Democratic leadership will be able to address the underlying issues driving residents to leave the state.