California faces a stark reality: it's on track to lose four congressional seats by the 2030 census due to slow population growth, according to data from the US Census Bureau. This would be the second time California has lost representation in Congress since becoming a state.
The trend is concerning, as California has long been one of the fastest-growing states in the country. However, over the past year, the state has experienced a significant decline in net domestic migration, with 229,077 people moving out to neighboring states like Texas, Nevada, Arizona, and Washington.
Demographic shifts like these have major implications for state representation in Congress. According to experts, if current trends hold, California's congressional delegation will shrink from 52 seats to 48 by the 2030 census.
This loss of representation is a result of the nation's slowest population growth rate since the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country experienced its lowest growth rate in decades. The slowdown in US population growth can be attributed primarily to a decline in net international migration, which dropped from 2.7 million to 1.3 million between July 2024 and June 2025.
The impact of slower population growth is felt across the country, with all four census regions experiencing a decrease in growth or an acceleration of decline. Only two states, Montana and West Virginia, are exempt from this trend.
California's shrinking population has been attributed to various factors, including declining birth rates and a growing number of residents moving out of the state to neighboring areas with more favorable economic conditions. As President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown continues to shape national demographics, California's population is also feeling the pinch.
The decline in net international migration highlights the importance of birth rates and deaths in determining US population growth. With births and deaths remaining relatively stable compared to the prior year, the sharp decline in net international migration has become a major factor in slowing down population growth nationwide.
As the nation grapples with changing demographics and shifting population trends, California's loss of representation in Congress serves as a stark reminder of the need for policymakers to adapt to these changes.
The trend is concerning, as California has long been one of the fastest-growing states in the country. However, over the past year, the state has experienced a significant decline in net domestic migration, with 229,077 people moving out to neighboring states like Texas, Nevada, Arizona, and Washington.
Demographic shifts like these have major implications for state representation in Congress. According to experts, if current trends hold, California's congressional delegation will shrink from 52 seats to 48 by the 2030 census.
This loss of representation is a result of the nation's slowest population growth rate since the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country experienced its lowest growth rate in decades. The slowdown in US population growth can be attributed primarily to a decline in net international migration, which dropped from 2.7 million to 1.3 million between July 2024 and June 2025.
The impact of slower population growth is felt across the country, with all four census regions experiencing a decrease in growth or an acceleration of decline. Only two states, Montana and West Virginia, are exempt from this trend.
California's shrinking population has been attributed to various factors, including declining birth rates and a growing number of residents moving out of the state to neighboring areas with more favorable economic conditions. As President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown continues to shape national demographics, California's population is also feeling the pinch.
The decline in net international migration highlights the importance of birth rates and deaths in determining US population growth. With births and deaths remaining relatively stable compared to the prior year, the sharp decline in net international migration has become a major factor in slowing down population growth nationwide.
As the nation grapples with changing demographics and shifting population trends, California's loss of representation in Congress serves as a stark reminder of the need for policymakers to adapt to these changes.
I mean, it's crazy to think that California is gonna lose four seats in Congress... it just feels like yesterday we were all about LA and San Francisco being the hubs of innovation and progress. Now, people are moving outta Cali like it's 2024 
. But for real, this demographic shift is a big deal. I mean, the state's been growing so fast for so long, it's wild to think that the growth rate is slowing down now.
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. They've always been one of the trendsetters out there, but now they're facing some major demographic shifts 
. It's like they're experiencing a midlife crisis... without all that cool stuff 
. It's like everyone's playing catch-up to Cali's declining population 
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! Montana and West Virginia are doing it right, folks 
. Maybe California can learn a thing or two from them 
?
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. It's not all doom and gloom though - maybe this is an opportunity for them to rethink how they want to be represented in DC 
... but at the same time, it's hard to see how they'll stay competitive with other states that are growing faster 
. We just have to wait and see what happens next 
and I'm still trying to wrap my head around this... it sounds crazy that they're gonna lose seats cuz people are movin' out 
like, what's happenin'? I know the economy is tight and all, but I thought Cali was supposed to be all about innovation and stuff? I don't get why ppl would wanna leave 
... maybe there's more to it than just that tho?
and i feel bad for people who are moving away from cali for more opportunities but at the same time i get why they'd wanna leave 
48 seats instead of 52 is a big difference 
what do u guys think should be done to slow down population growth? 
it's kinda wild that cali's been losing peeps left & right... i mean, we all know california's super popular but what's driving people outta there? is it just the high cost of living or something else entirely? 
it's always been one of the fastest-growing states but now they're experiencing slow growth and people are moving out 
it's not just California though, the whole US is feeling it 
birth rates and deaths are still kinda stable but international migration is down huge 
California is basically becoming irrelevant in the US political landscape... I mean, who needs a state that's constantly on the move? 
They're not exactly the most welcoming place for new folks, and their own residents are leaving to chase better opportunities elsewhere. It's like they're trying to become a shadow of themselves 
. Slow population growth is a big deal, especially when you consider that birth rates are still pretty stable... it's just that nobody wants to move to Cali anymore 
It's like they're not trying to compete with other states for talent anymore. Who knew being a pioneer would be so hard? 
. I mean, who needs four congressional seats when you can just have... 48? 
It's not like they'll be able to effectively represent the people or anything. And don't even get me started on the whole "slow population growth" thing - sounds like a major buzzkill for all the Californians who thought their state was still the hub of cool 
. Anyway, I'm sure it'll be super fun to watch California's congressional delegation get smaller and smaller over the next few years