Population growth in Los Angeles County has fallen by roughly two-thirds as exits overshadow immigration and births.
Los Angeles County’s population rose 17,100 in the year ended July 1 — 0.17 percent — to 10.28 million, still most-populous among California’s counties.
But new state demographic statistics show that the growth rate is down 68.4 percent vs. an average 54,198 added annually in the previous five years.
Population growth not just a matter of civic pride. Industries such as retailing and real estate rely on population growth for new customers. Businesses need more workers these days, and the government seeks new taxpayers.
Let’s look at four key reasons why population growth has cooled …
1. Net outmigration: Folks exiting for elsewhere within the state or out-of-state minus people arriving equaled net outflow of 86,729 this year vs. an average 62,800 in 2013-17 — up 38 percent. Outflow grew 68 percent statewide.
2. Foreign immigration: A long-running population boost, legal or otherwise. The number of new residents who lived in another country the previous year was 52,634 vs. an average 51,541 in 2013-17 — up 2 percent vs. 7 percent statewide.
3. Deaths: In a sign of our aging society, local deaths rose to 63,768 vs. an average 61,021 in 2013-17 — up 4.5 percent vs. 7.1 percent statewide.
Births: As young adults put off child-rearing, the number of newborn children has fallen to 114,963 vs. an average 126,477 in 2013-17 — down 9.1 percent vs. a 5.7 percent statewide decline.
Some folks, many of whom think the region’s too crowded, may believe slower population growth is a positive trend. A crowded county means more congestion — both in neighborhoods and on roads — which boosts the local cost of living and makes California look less appealing.
Population growth ’18: O.C. | Riverside | San Bernardino
But numerous businesses and their employees, for example, thrive on population expansion. Plus, the shrinking birth rate raises questions about who will be the county’s next generation of workers.
Statewide, population rose 214,625 in the year — 0.54 percent to — 39.83 million, but the growth rate of new residents is down 31.4 percent vs. 313,057 added annually in the previous five years.
Regionally, the slow-growth story is repeated: In the four counties covered by the Southern California News Group, the population rose a combined 70,379 in the year — 0.39 percent — to 18.09 million, but the growth rate is down 43 percent vs. 123,465 in the previous five years.
Source: “Los Angeles” – Google News