This California City’s Population Plunged Nearly 12% in 2023

While some California towns have seen their population drop, other cities have seen gradual rises in residents — even as many have decided to flee the state for cheaper living elsewhere.

According to this data, California City’s total population dropped by 11.8%. This drop in population is interesting, as many of the city’s residents are workers at Edwards Air Force Base.

Population numbers also include prisoners in the city. As California City houses the California City Correctional Center, this population drop could be the result of fewer prisoners being housed in this facility.

However, analysts also believe that this drop in population in these specific cities all has to do with changes seen in their prison populations.

Former California natives have chosen to leave their home state for a new beginning elsewhere for a variety of reasons. However, California’s incredibly high cost of living, as well as high housing costs, have fueled many of these exits.

However, the population growth was quite small, as only 67,000 additions occurred throughout the year.

All one has to do is look at the Bay Area to see this. While some cities in the Bay Area did see population increases, others saw small decreases.

There may be many reasons why this specific city in California saw one of the biggest increases. However, the state Finance Department has pointed to the 6.4% rise in Emeryville’s housing supply as one of the most likely reasons.

There aren’t enough houses on the market, or enough houses being built, to accurately meet the demand seen in various cities up and down the state. Emeryville’s housing supply rose more than double any other city or town in the Bay Area. Now, the city has a population boost to show how beneficial this housing decision has been.

Meanwhile, Millbrae, located in San Mateo County, saw its housing supply rise by 3%. This led to its population increasing by 1.8% in 2023.

In 2023, Paradise saw a population growth of 16.1%. This population increase was likely the result of many residents finally being able to return home after being displaced during the fire, and then during the aftermath of the fire.

As California works to keep the exodus from occurring again, analyzing this data may point them in the right direction.

This shift is particularly evident in smaller towns like California City, where the exodus includes remote workers seeking better living conditions without compromising their professional careers.

California City’s population decline reflects this broader movement, where remote workers prioritize housing affordability and quality of life over urban amenities.

Additionally, lower tax revenues from a shrinking populace can strain municipal services and infrastructure maintenance, creating challenges for city planners.

This presents opportunities for sustainable development and conservation efforts, turning a population decline into a chance for ecological restoration and improved environmental health.

This necessitates strategic planning to ensure essential services remain operational and sustainable, balancing budget constraints with the need for reliable infrastructure.

A recent PPIC survey found that 34% of Californians are considering relocating because of these costs. Lower-income residents are most affected, but even higher-income individuals, facilitated by remote work and political preferences, are increasingly leaving the state.

Simultaneously, the influx of diverse ethnic groups enriches cultural life but also requires effective integration strategies to maintain social harmony.

California’s rate fell from above the national average in 2008 (2.15) to the seventh-lowest in 2020 (1.52), driven mainly by fewer births among 20-somethings, who are less likely to marry. In California, two-thirds of births are to married women.

Immigrants, mostly aged 25-54, are vital to California’s economy, contributing significantly to sectors like technology, healthcare, agriculture, and hospitality. Historically, higher birth rates among immigrants helped offset declines among US-born residents.

Initiatives to establish innovation centers and attract tech companies aim to create job opportunities and modernize the local workforce. These efforts can help retain residents and draw new talent to the area.

All things considered, recent trends have seen slow population growth, a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a slight rebound in 2023 driven by reduced mortality and increased immigration. The state’s future population growth is expected to be slow, raising questions about the benefits and challenges of an increasing population.

The city’s future depends on balancing growth with sustainability and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.