December 27, 2009

The biggest losers - State population decline

Nothing says good government like having people flee your State in droves. The biggest five Losers from Yahoo/CNN Money:
Biggest Losers: Where Americans Aren't Moving
Through most of the decade Florida was one of the fastest growing states. But the sunny clime -- and 6 others -- lost more residents than they gained in the year ended July 1.

1. California
Net loss: 98,798 residents

For years more people have fled the Golden State than have arrived. In the year ended July 1, California was the country's biggest loser, with nearly 100,000 more residents leaving than moving in.

Still, that was an improvement over earlier losses: In 2006 the net decline was 313,081.

2. New York
Net loss: 98,178 residents

Like California, New York is, historically, a major exporter of it citizens. The state depends upon foreign migration for its population growth. But also like California, New York's out-migration eased in the year ended July 1.

In 2006, nearly a quarter million more people left the state than moved in, two and a half times the 2009 total.

The state has not gone through the same housing crisis that engulfed bubble states. The unemployment rate is lower than the nation as a whole and foreclosure problems have been relatively minor.

Still, New York is the decade's biggest loser: The state a total of 1,686,583 residents, more than anywhere else.
And the other three? Michigan, Illinois and Ohio -- all strong Blue States. All with "progressive" governments. And what is the answer to losing all these people? Raising the taxes on the ones that remain. Would the last person leaving please remember to turn out the lights? Posted by DaveH at December 27, 2009 12:40 PM | TrackBack