Forget California’s exodus. Why do so few move here?

Let me say for the umpteenth time, there is no California exodus.

The Golden State’s popularity among its own residents is among the nation’s highest, as measured by the small share of residents who depart for other parts of the country.

Its stagnant population challenge is really about the stunningly few Americans who relocate to California.

Let my trusty spreadsheet explain, using the just-released Census Bureau’s state-to-state migration stats for 2024 that track relocation patterns among the population ages 1 year and older. Comparing that year with 2021-23 averages adds perspective.

These fresh demographic figures show California lost 661,000 residents to other states in 2024, the most exits in the nation. By the way, those departures are 16% below the 2021-23 pace.

But before you shout “exodus,” note that Florida was No. 2 at 506,000, followed by Texas at 483,500.

There’s a theme here. These economic rivals are also the nation’s most populous states – California with 39 million, Texas with 31 million and Florida with 23 million.

In a nation where 7 million people got a new home state in 2024, it’s not t...