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Column: California is growing again. Hurrah! Or ho-hum?
Los Angeles Times ^
| Jan. 5, 2025 3 AM PT
| Mark Z. Barabak
Posted on 01/05/2025 1:17:38 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
- Talk of a mass exodus of residents was always overblown and more political than real.
- A population uptick will hopefully end all those premature death notices — at least for a bit
California is growing again, news that comes as a relief, vindication or vexation, depending on
where you stand in regard to the Golden State. Or, perhaps more aptly, where you reside.
The state, which had its modern birth in a fever of money-lust and speculation, gained population in every assay going back to those
Gold Rush days. Growth — heady, unrelenting — was not only the natural order of things, but an affirmation. Of the California lifestyle, the state’s economy, its political leadership, the weather and, perhaps most of all, the
beckoning of this most fertile landscape.
Then came pandemic, an immigration clampdown and the remote-work revolution. For the first time in its recorded history, California lost population. Not a ton, relatively speaking. But enough to prompt
discussion of an “exodus,” to
fuel the trash-talkers and give those ever-eager to write the state’s obituary an opportunity to sharpen their quills and their tongues.
More consequentially, for the first time in its history
California lost a seat in the House of Representatives. Worse, its archrivals among states,
Florida and
Texas, grew their footprint on Capitol Hill.
It was an ego blow, a humiliation and a political setback. Then came news last month that, lo, California was steadily growing again. The increase of 232,570 residents from July 2023 to July 2024 amounted to a population gain of 0.6%. That’s scarcely a rounding error in a state with 39.43 million souls, give or take. And there were plenty of to-be-sures and caveats attached...
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
TOPICS: Humor
KEYWORDS: california; laslimes; latimes; losangelestimes; markzbarabak
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Couldn't possibly be because of the wide-open border.
To: E. Pluribus Unum
Illegals flocking to a sanctuary state.
2
posted on
01/05/2025 1:22:10 PM PST
by
pfflier
To: E. Pluribus Unum
3
posted on
01/05/2025 1:22:25 PM PST
by
SPDSHDW
(Execute Order 66....)
To: E. Pluribus Unum
Maybe it’s because they count the voter rolls and nobody ever does on those?
4
posted on
01/05/2025 1:22:51 PM PST
by
Dogbert41
(“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” -Matthew 5:9)
To: E. Pluribus Unum
“Then came pandemic, an immigration clampdown...”
The “clampdown” of the past couple of months is responsible for CA’s lack of growth? Gaslight turned up to 11.
5
posted on
01/05/2025 1:28:28 PM PST
by
Magic Fingers
(Political correctness mutates in order to remain virulent.)
To: E. Pluribus Unum
I don’t know. Since this is the LA Times, maybe we should pay attention?
Heh...Ummm...No.
6
posted on
01/05/2025 1:31:10 PM PST
by
rlmorel
("A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims...but accomplices." George Orwell)
To: E. Pluribus Unum
At least 5 million wetbacks...every one of whom is counted toward representatives in the House...and toward Federal $$$ the state receives.
To: E. Pluribus Unum
And there were plenty of to-be-sures and caveats attached...
One of those caveats is the fact that the new migrants to California are mostly illegals.
To: pfflier
9
posted on
01/05/2025 1:54:19 PM PST
by
ridesthemiles
(not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
To: E. Pluribus Unum
S. CA needs more traffic and people...Maybe another 2 million foreigners would help a bit.

Good grief!
10
posted on
01/05/2025 1:55:14 PM PST
by
dragnet2
(Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
To: E. Pluribus Unum
Gavin Newsom said, more people are moving to California from Florida, than are moving from California to Florida.
Even if that is somehow true, it doesn’t explain the net decreases in population in California.
To: E. Pluribus Unum
I am guessing that, if there is an increase, it isn’t from modern-day Forty-Niners and Okies and young folks seeking fame and fortune in Hollywood.
To: E. Pluribus Unum
Folks are moving there because they love the insanely high cost of living and high taxes and they want their kids to be groomed in public schools by perverts.
13
posted on
01/05/2025 2:10:51 PM PST
by
cgbg
(It is time to pull the Deep State out of the mass media--like ticks from a dog.)
To: E. Pluribus Unum
Population increase consisting of foreigners? Of the illegal persuasion?
That’s called an invasion.
14
posted on
01/05/2025 2:13:54 PM PST
by
Allegra
(Pat very close attention of such trolling behavior.)
To: dragnet2
15
posted on
01/05/2025 2:24:02 PM PST
by
No name given
( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
To: E. Pluribus Unum
16
posted on
01/05/2025 2:33:01 PM PST
by
mewzilla
(Swing away, Mr. President, swing away!)
To: E. Pluribus Unum
Just drove from San Diego to Bakersfield and back for an overnight trip.
There is so much natural beauty in California and so many places I'd love to be able to buy a home and settle down.
Except, they're all in California, which is a shame. The biggest problem in California are the politicians that Californians themselves elect to run the place.
17
posted on
01/05/2025 2:33:04 PM PST
by
Drew68
To: mewzilla
Omg—the author is a leftist kook.
Leftists love lying.
18
posted on
01/05/2025 2:36:10 PM PST
by
cgbg
(It is time to pull the Deep State out of the mass media--like ticks from a dog.)
To: Drew68
If I were homeless, I’d scuttle myself to San Diego as fast as possible.
I absolutely love northern/coastal California (as well as coastal Oregon); but the state wide politics will keep me at bay for quiet a while, unless the money is just right.
What magnificent scenery that state possesses.
To: E. Pluribus Unum
Yeah there growing alright. But they are not growing with US citizens.
20
posted on
01/05/2025 3:38:01 PM PST
by
Revel
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