Los Angeles County sees population decline, South sees growth and other census takeaways

The Hill
by Sophie Brams
March 26, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Census data shows Los Angeles County and other major metros lost population between mid-2024 and mid-2025 while Southern areas grew.

How This Affects You

Population shifts could reduce federal funding and congressional representation for declining areas like California while increasing it for Southern states, affecting local services and political power.

AI Summary

The U.S. Census Bureau released new population estimates Thursday showing that several major metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles County, experienced population declines between July 2024 and July 2025. The slowdown in growth across most U.S. metro areas reflects a broader decline in immigration during this period. Southern metropolitan areas bucked the national trend and continued expanding, marking a shift in where Americans are choosing to live. The data underscores ongoing demographic changes that could reshape congressional representation, federal funding allocation, and regional economic development priorities in coming years. The slower growth rates represent a marked deceleration compared to the previous year's population increases.

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