Los Angeles County lost more residents than any other U.S. county during the year ending July 1, 2025, as high living costs and weaker migration flows continued to reshape the region.
The county’s population fell by 53,934, from about 9.75 million to 9.69 million. Although Los Angeles remained the nation’s most populous county, it had nearly 322,500 fewer residents than it did in April 2020.
The decline did not come from a single cause. Domestic out-migration remained a major concern, while a sharp slowdown in international migration removed a source of growth that had previously offset many departures.
Los Angeles recorded the largest decline
Los Angeles County’s estimated population fell from 9,748,868 in July 2024 to 9,694,934 in July 2025.
The loss of 53,934 residents was the largest numerical decline among all U.S. counties. Pinellas County, Florida, recorded the second-largest drop at 11,834, showing how unusual the size of Los Angeles County’s decline was.
Los Angeles still had nearly twice as many residents as Cook County, Illinois, which ranked second nationally with about 5.19 million people.
The county remains below 10 million
Los Angeles County’s population stood at 10,017,414 in April 2020.
By July 2025, the total had declined by more than 3%. The county remained economically and culturally important, but the population loss showed that its size did not protect it from affordability pressures and changing migration patterns.
A shrinking population can affect school enrollment, public transportation use, housing demand, local businesses, and the tax revenue available to support government services.
Housing costs encourage residents to leave
California researchers have repeatedly identified housing affordability as an important reason residents move to other states.
The Public Policy Institute of California found that lower-income households were more likely to leave than wealthier households, even as the state began losing some middle- and higher-income residents. California recorded net domestic out-migration every year from 2001.
People who leave may find that their income can purchase a larger home or cover more of their basic expenses in another state. A 2026 California Policy Lab analysis found that many people improved their financial position and were more likely to become homeowners after leaving California.
International migration slowed sharply
Los Angeles County continued to receive more international migrants than most counties, but that inflow weakened considerably.
The Census Bureau reported that the county experienced the nation’s largest numerical decline in net international migration between the 2024 and 2025 estimate years. Its total fell by 62,934 people compared with the previous year.
California’s statewide net international migration dropped from 312,761 to 109,278. That decline meant immigration was no longer strong enough to offset the state’s continuing losses to other parts of the country.
Inland counties continued to grow
Population movement within Southern California did not affect every county equally.
Riverside County added 15,804 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, increasing its population to approximately 2.54 million. It remained one of the nation’s 10 most populous counties and continued to benefit from housing development and the movement toward the Inland Empire.
Orange County lost 8,520 residents, while San Diego County declined by 5,294. Ventura County also recorded a loss of 2,580 people.
These figures suggest that some households were not leaving Southern California entirely. Instead, they may have been moving farther from the coast in search of lower housing costs and more available space.
California’s long-term migration gap remains
Nearly 10 million people moved from California to other states between 2010 and 2024, according to American Community Survey data reviewed by the Public Policy Institute of California.
During the same period, just over 7 million people moved into California from elsewhere in the country. That created a net domestic migration loss of almost 3 million people over 15 years.
The nearly 10 million figure should not be interpreted as the state’s total population loss. Millions of people also moved into California, while births and international migration helped replace some of those who left.
Population loss can affect the economy
A smaller working-age population can make it harder for employers to fill jobs, particularly in construction, hospitality, health care, agriculture, and personal services.
Businesses may respond by raising wages, reducing hours, automating tasks, or passing higher labor costs to customers. Slower population growth can also weaken demand for apartments, stores, restaurants, and other services.
California researchers warned that sustained population decline could eventually shrink the tax base supporting roads, schools, emergency services, and other public programs. It could also weaken the state’s representation in Congress if faster-growing states gain a larger share of the national population.
The decline does not signal collapse
Los Angeles County continued to have a large economy, major universities, global entertainment companies, busy ports, and a diverse workforce.
The county also continued attracting international migrants, even though the number was lower than the previous year. Its population decline represented less than 1% of its residents.
However, repeated losses can become more serious over time. Improving housing supply, transportation, job access, and overall affordability may determine whether Los Angeles can retain more families and workers in the years ahead.
TL;DR
- Los Angeles County lost 53,934 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.
- Its population fell from about 9.75 million to 9.69 million.
- The county recorded the largest numerical population decline in the United States.
- High housing costs remained an important factor in domestic out-migration.
- Los Angeles County’s net international migration fell sharply from the previous year.
- Riverside County gained nearly 16,000 residents while Orange, San Diego, and Ventura counties declined.
- Los Angeles remained the nation’s most populous county despite the continued losses.
