LA, Chicago and New York top list of counties with biggest population declines

Last year the counties home to LA, Chicago and New York City suffered the largest exodus of people in the country - meanwhile tens of thousands flocked to counties in Arizona, Texas and Florida.

Los Angeles County, which is still the most populous county in the US, saw an average of 143,000 people leave to elsewhere in the country between July 2021 and July 2022, according to the latest US Census data.

It was followed by Cook County, home to Chicago, which lost around 94,000 people to other parts of the country. Three of New York City's counties - Kings, Queens and Bronx - were all among the top five counties facing a mass migration. 

On the other hand, Maricopa County in Arizona, home to Phoenix, had the largest influx of domestic migrants, around 33,000.

It was followed closely by Collin County in Texas, and Polk County in Florida, which sits between Orlando and Tampa.

Last year the counties home to LA, Chicago and New York City suffered the largest negative migration of people in the country. Maricopa County in Arizona, home to Phoenix, had the greatest influx

About a third of the entire US homeless population - 171,521 people - is in California and LA is the state's hotspot, with 65,111

The five counties which lost the most residents to other areas of the country are each located in high-tax states, namely California, Illinois and New York. 

By contrast, counties experiencing the largest influx of people were in Arizona, Texas and Florida, where tax is significantly lower.

Population change is driven by migration, both within the US and due to the arrival of people from abroad. It also depends on whether births outpace deaths. Domestic migration figures are concerned only with internal migrants.

Although LA County lost people to domestic migration, it did see people arriving from abroad, gaining almost 34,000 last year.

California is by far the state hit worst by homelessness, and LA is at the center of that crisis. About a third of the entire US homeless population - 171,521 people - is in California and LA hosts around 65,000 of them.

In general the population of counties in Florida and Texas increased significantly by percentage between July 2021 and July 2022

Homelessness on 1st Avenue between 20 and 21st street in Manhattan, New York

Chicago followed a very similar trend to LA. While it lost massively to domestic migration it recovered some of its numbers by way of international migration - it was the fifth-most popular destination for people arriving from other countries.

The city's population problems could get even worse however if its mayor-elect Brandon Johnson's tax proposals become reality, Illinois Policy reported.

One of Johnson’s key campaign platforms is to drastically raise taxes on what he calls 'the suburbs, airlines and ultra-rich'. It could mean more businesses and people fleeing the city.

Kings County in New York, which encompasses Brooklyn, lost almost 47,000 people, but the decline was almost half the size of the previous year.

The county of 2.5 million residents had a solid natural increase and healthy international migration, but more than 77,000 residents in total left.

In contrast, Phoenix retained its popularity among both domestic and international migrants. Maricopa County grew by almost 57,000 new residents and now has a population of 4.5 million people.