Latest Census estimates show New York leading country in population decline
New population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show that New York had the biggest population decline in the country since 2019.
The state’s population shrunk by 0.65 percent or 126,355, down from 19,463,131 on July 1, 2019 to 19,336,776 on July 1, 2020.
That compares to the national population growing by 0.35 percent during the year, or up another 1,154,170, according to the report released Tuesday from the U.S. Census Bureau.
New York hasn’t gained population since the last Census in 2010, when there were 19,378,102 residents. If the latest estimate reflects the population in the 2020 Census, the state could see its congressional seats reduced from 27 to 25, with less political clout for New York.
The Empire Center in Albany attributed the decline in the past year to foreign immigration falling off sharply in New York. Previous Census estimates show the main factor for the state’s lack of growth is due mainly to an outmigration flow of 1.4 million people to other states since 2010, the Empire Center said.
