U.S. Census data confirms what has been reported in regard to population shifts in the United States in recent years and since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 — Americans moved out of higher-cost areas and decamped to more affordable towns and regions in the U.S.
Using metro area level data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program, 24/7 Tempo identified the cities losing the most people since the pandemic. Metro areas were ranked based on the percentage change in population due to net migration from April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022. Data was aggregated from the county level to the metropolitan level using metropolitan statistical area definitions for July 2023 from the Census Bureau.
Major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., all experienced a decrease in population. High costs of living, increase in some forms of crime, and the ability for people to work remotely and therefore have the ability to move away from congested urban areas have all been factors in population loss. (These are America’s 26 poorest large cities.)
Of the 40 cities on the list, 14 are California metro areas. Residents fled six Louisiana metros on our list, including three in the top six: Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, New Orleans-Metairie, and Lake Charles. (See America’s best cities to live according to data.)
New York state, which has been losing population for some time before the pandemic, has four cities on the list, including Elmira — one of six on the list with a population of fewer than 100,000 people.
Click here for the 50 cities where the most people have left since the pandemic
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
50. Milwaukee-Waukesha, Wisconsin
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.1% (-17,421)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -22,312
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +4,891
> Total population, 2022: 1,559,792
[in-text-ad]
Source: benedek / iStock via Getty Images
49. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts-New Hampshire
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.1% (-55,269)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -104,501
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +49,232
> Total population, 2022: 4,900,550
Source: pawel.gaul / iStock via Getty Images
48. Boulder, Colorado
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.1% (-3,738)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -4,985
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +1,247
> Total population, 2022: 327,468
47. Charleston, West Virginia
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.1% (-2,403)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -2,744
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +341
> Total population, 2022: 204,297
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: LUNAMARINA / iStock via Getty Images
46. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-Virginia-Maryland-West Virginia
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.2% (-74,104)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -136,725
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +62,621
> Total population, 2022: 6,265,183
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
45. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.2% (-5,780)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -6,612
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +832
> Total population, 2022: 482,650
[in-text-ad]
Source: David Crockett Photo / iStock via Getty Images
44. Hanford-Corcoran, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.2% (-1,807)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -1,914
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +107
> Total population, 2022: 152,981
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
43. Syracuse, New York
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.2% (-7,972)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -9,974
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +2,002
> Total population, 2022: 653,633
Source: makasana / iStock via Getty Images
42. Sumter, South Carolina
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.2% (-1,274)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -1,393
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +119
> Total population, 2022: 104,012
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Darwin Brandis / Getty Images
41. Jacksonville, North Carolina
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.2% (-2,476)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -2,458
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: -18
> Total population, 2022: 207,298
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
40. Peoria, Illinois
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.2% (-4,540)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -5,365
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +825
> Total population, 2022: 363,445
[in-text-ad]
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
39. Enid, Oklahoma
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.2% (-785)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -913
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +128
> Total population, 2022: 61,920
24/7 Wall St.Source: jmoor17 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
38. El Centro, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.4% (-2,487)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -2,782
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +295
> Total population, 2022: 178,713
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
37. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.4% (-46,521)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -58,429
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +11,908
> Total population, 2022: 3,276,208
[in-text-ad-2]
36. Jackson, Mississippi
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.4% (-8,829)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -9,415
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +586
> Total population, 2022: 610,904
Source: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons
35. Chico, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.5% (-3,085)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -3,323
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +238
> Total population, 2022: 207,303
[in-text-ad]
Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
34. Eagle Pass, Texas
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.5% (-847)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -1,100
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +253
> Total population, 2022: 57,843
Source: Chris LaBasco / iStock via Getty Images
33. Vallejo, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.5% (-6,848)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -8,047
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +1,199
> Total population, 2022: 448,747
Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
32. Albany, Georgia
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.5% (-2,272)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -2,356
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +84
> Total population, 2022: 145,786
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Cheri Alguire / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
31. Grand Island, Nebraska
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.5% (-1,183)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -1,567
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +384
> Total population, 2022: 76,333
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
30. Monroe, Luoisiana
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.6% (-3,541)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -3,772
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +231
> Total population, 2022: 222,695
[in-text-ad]
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
29. Columbus, Georgia-Alabama
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.6% (-5,207)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -6,004
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +797
> Total population, 2022: 324,110
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
28. Alexandria, Louisiana
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.6% (-2,465)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -2,626
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +161
> Total population, 2022: 149,189
Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
27. Vineland, New Jersey
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.7% (-2,561)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -2,925
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +364
> Total population, 2022: 151,356
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
26. Laredo, Texas
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.7% (-4,478)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -5,784
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +1,306
> Total population, 2022: 267,780
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
25. Watertown-Fort Drum, New York
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.7% (-2,034)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -2,248
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +214
> Total population, 2022: 116,637
[in-text-ad]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
24. Grand Forks, North Dakota-Minnesota
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.7% (-1,824)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -2,103
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +279
> Total population, 2022: 103,144
Source: bpperry / iStock via Getty Images
23. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.8% (-7,862)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -9,515
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +1,653
> Total population, 2022: 443,837
Source: Davel5957 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
22. Ann Arbor, Michigan
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.8% (-6,540)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -8,810
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +2,270
> Total population, 2022: 366,376
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: benedek / iStock via Getty Images
21. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.8% (-14,952)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -15,991
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +1,039
> Total population, 2022: 832,605
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
20. Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -1.9% (-7,380)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -7,831
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +451
> Total population, 2022: 385,154
[in-text-ad]
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
19. Trenton-Princeton, New Jersey
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -2.0% (-7,588)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -10,526
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +2,938
> Total population, 2022: 380,688
Source: Jon Kraft / iStock via Getty Images
18. Decatur, Illinois
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -2.0% (-2,122)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -2,305
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +183
> Total population, 2022: 101,483
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
17. Fairbanks-College, Alaska
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -2.0% (-1,956)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -2,108
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +152
> Total population, 2022: 95,356
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
16. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois-Indiana
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -2.1% (-198,891)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -235,374
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +36,483
> Total population, 2022: 9,274,140
Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
15. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -2.5% (-6,717)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -7,152
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +435
> Total population, 2022: 264,370
[in-text-ad]
Source: photoquest7 / iStock via Getty Images
14. Napa, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -2.5% (-3,466)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -3,653
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +187
> Total population, 2022: 134,300
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
13. Elmira, New York
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -2.6% (-2,151)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -2,218
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +67
> Total population, 2022: 81,426
Source: Art Wager / iStock via Getty Images
12. Urban Honolulu, Hawaii
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -2.6% (-26,065)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -31,682
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +5,617
> Total population, 2022: 995,638
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Salinas, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -2.7% (-11,900)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -12,905
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +1,005
> Total population, 2022: 432,858
Source: bradleyhebdon / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
10. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -2.8% (-367,333)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -428,371
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +61,038
> Total population, 2022: 12,872,322
[in-text-ad]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
9. Manhattan, Kansas
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -2.8% (-3,751)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -4,311
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +560
> Total population, 2022: 133,072
8. Minot, North Dakota
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -2.8% (-2,179)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -2,284
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +105
> Total population, 2022: 76,279
Source: Eloi_Omella / E+ via Getty Images
7. New York-Newark-Jersey City, New York-New Jersey
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -3.0% (-597,802)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -736,277
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +138,475
> Total population, 2022: 19,557,311
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, Louisiana
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -3.4% (-7,137)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -7,338
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +201
> Total population, 2022: 200,656
Source: Rebecca Todd / iStock via Getty Images
5. New Orleans-Metairie, Louisiana
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -3.5% (-35,348)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -39,853
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +4,505
> Total population, 2022: 972,913
[in-text-ad]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
4. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -3.9% (-77,891)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -103,156
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +25,265
> Total population, 2022: 1,938,524
3. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, California
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -4.0% (-189,585)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -227,642
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +38,057
> Total population, 2022: 4,579,599
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
2. Odessa, Texas
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -4.0% (-6,661)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -7,904
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +1,243
> Total population, 2022: 160,869
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
1. Lake Charles, Louisiana
> Population change due to net migration, 2020 to 2022: -5.8% (-14,804)
> Net domestic migration, 2020 to 2022: -15,323
> Net international migration, 2020 to 2022: +519
> Total population, 2022: 239,346
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With A Financial Advisor (Sponsored)
Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Take the retirement quiz right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
