1. Michigan
Detroit’s comeback story is real, but Michigan as a whole is still grappling with decline, according to Mike Wilkinson from Bridge Michigan. After decades of population loss, especially in the post-auto boom era, the state hasn’t bounced back fully. Birth rates remain low, and outmigration continues in rural areas. Some towns are practically ghost towns now.
Higher education hubs like Ann Arbor offer hope, but they’re not enough to reverse state-level trends. The aging population is growing, but not being replaced fast enough. Michigan is investing in infrastructure and tech, but the payoff is still uncertain. It’s a state at a demographic crossroads.
2. Illinois
Illinois has been bleeding residents for years, and taxes are often cited as the culprit. Property taxes are some of the highest in the nation, and many middle-class families are opting for nearby states with lower costs. Add in political instability and urban crime concerns in Chicago, and you’ve got a potent mix driving people away. The state has lost hundreds of thousands of residents since 2010, according to Ravi Mishra from Illinois Policy.
That loss affects everything from school enrollments to federal funding. Even suburban areas that once boomed are seeing empty storefronts and smaller class sizes. Meanwhile, the aging population left behind puts a strain on pensions and infrastructure. Illinois has the tools to rebound, but it needs to act fast.
3. Louisiana
Hurricane damage, coastal erosion, and economic challenges have made Louisiana a tough place to stay. Natural disasters have forced many families to relocate permanently, especially from low-lying parishes. Baton Rouge and New Orleans have seen fluctuating numbers, but rural areas are drying up fast. Many towns are losing more people than they’re gaining, according to Chelsea Brasted from Axios.
Jobs in oil and gas aren’t as stable as they used to be, and younger generations are eyeing states with more diversified economies. The state’s birth rate also isn’t high enough to offset the outflow. Combined with poverty and underfunded schools, retention is an uphill battle. Louisiana’s culture is rich, but it’s struggling to hold onto its people.
4. New York
Despite its global appeal, New York is losing population at an alarming rate, according to Carl Campanile from The New York Post. High costs of living, especially in NYC, are pushing families and retirees out. Remote work has made it easier for people to leave the city while keeping their jobs. In fact, New York lost more residents in recent years than any other state.
Upstate New York is also struggling with aging communities and a shrinking tax base. Smaller cities like Syracuse and Buffalo have seen some revitalization, but it’s not enough to reverse the overall trend. Meanwhile, immigration—which once helped offset native population loss—has slowed. The Empire State isn’t emptying, but it’s definitely shifting.
5. California
Yes, even sunny California has a people problem, according to Pandora Dewan from Newsweek. While it’s still the most populous state, it’s now experiencing net population decline. The cost of housing is a huge factor—many people simply can’t afford to live there. Others are driven out by taxes, wildfires, and a general sense that quality of life isn’t keeping pace with costs.
Tech workers can now work from anywhere, and many are choosing to leave. The state has lost residents to places like Texas, Arizona, and Nevada in large numbers. California still attracts dreamers, but more are waking up and heading out. It’s a warning sign for even the biggest states.
6. Mississippi
Mississippi has long struggled with poverty, and now it’s struggling with population loss, too. It’s one of the few states where more people are dying than being born. That’s a rare and troubling statistic, pointing to both aging and poor health outcomes. Add in outmigration of young adults, and you’ve got a shrinking workforce.
The job market hasn’t diversified much, and educational attainment lags behind national averages. Rural hospitals are closing, and schools are consolidating due to falling enrollment. With fewer people to support local economies, towns are at risk of vanishing altogether. Mississippi needs bold policies to reverse these deep-rooted trends.
7. Alaska
Alaska’s natural beauty hides a growing demographic issue. The state has seen more people leave than arrive for several years in a row. High living costs and geographic isolation make it hard to retain workers and families. Even the oil industry hasn’t kept enough people around.
Birth rates are declining, and many younger Alaskans are heading to the Lower 48 for education and not returning. Some rural communities are so small they’re at risk of losing basic services. Alaska has unique challenges that make traditional population growth strategies tough to implement. Unless trends change, the “Last Frontier” could become lonelier.
8. Hawaii
Living in paradise comes at a steep price. Hawaii has one of the highest costs of living in the U.S., and that’s pushing residents to the mainland. More locals are leaving than moving in, especially Native Hawaiians seeking affordability and opportunity elsewhere. The result is a net population decline in recent years.
Jobs in tourism and hospitality aren’t always stable or high-paying enough to support families. The housing crunch is especially severe on Oʻahu, where prices keep rising. Even health professionals and teachers are leaving due to cost pressures. Hawaii is trying to diversify its economy, but it may not be fast enough.
9. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s population issues are mostly about age. The state has one of the oldest median ages in the country, and its birth rate isn’t keeping up. While cities like Philadelphia have seen some growth, rural and post-industrial areas are losing people steadily. That divide is reshaping the state politically and economically.
Manufacturing jobs have dried up in many towns, leaving behind hollowed-out communities. Some counties are now below their 1950s population levels. Aging infrastructure and healthcare systems are under pressure from a dwindling, older population. The Keystone State needs new reasons for young families to stay.
10. West Virginia
West Virginia has been losing population for over a decade, and the trend shows no signs of slowing. A big part of the problem is a lack of economic opportunity, especially since coal jobs have declined. Young people are leaving in search of better prospects, and many don’t return. The state now has one of the oldest populations in the U.S., which adds pressure to healthcare and social services.
Families aren’t having enough kids to replace those who are aging out of the workforce. Combined with outmigration, that’s a recipe for long-term decline. Some counties have lost more than 10% of their population in just ten years. It’s a quiet crisis that doesn’t make headlines, but it’s reshaping the state.
11. Vermont
Vermont is one of the most beautiful places to live—but not if you’re looking for a job. The population is aging rapidly, and young adults often leave for cities with better career prospects. The state actually offers cash incentives for remote workers to move there, which says a lot. Still, growth remains slow and uneven.
Schools are consolidating due to declining enrollments. Healthcare services are stretched thin in rural parts of the state. Vermont also has among the lowest birth rates in the nation. Without a new wave of residents, the Green Mountain State may struggle to sustain itself.
12. Connecticut
Despite its proximity to major cities like New York and Boston, Connecticut is facing a people problem of its own. High taxes and a sluggish job market have pushed residents out in significant numbers. Retirees are heading to Florida, while younger people leave for more vibrant economies. The state has experienced net outmigration for several years now.
Even its once-thriving cities like Hartford and Bridgeport have seen stagnation or decline. Real estate costs and tax burdens make it hard for new families to settle in. The state is trying to reinvent itself as a hub for biotech and green energy. But so far, that hasn’t been enough to turn the tide.
13. North Dakota
North Dakota had a moment during the oil boom, but that glow has faded. Since then, population growth has slowed dramatically, and some towns are shrinking again. The weather is a tough sell, and the economy is heavily tied to energy markets. Once those soften, people move away.
Birth rates have also declined, especially among younger couples. Many rural counties are losing residents faster than they can recruit replacements. Even university towns aren’t immune to the drop. Without broader economic diversity, North Dakota’s people problem could get worse.
14. Maine
Maine is picturesque but aging faster than almost any other state. Its median age is the highest in the nation, and its birth rate is one of the lowest. Young people often leave for school or work and rarely come back. This leaves behind a graying population and fewer working-age adults.
Some communities have tried to attract immigrants to offset the losses, with mixed results. Healthcare and eldercare systems are under growing stress. The labor shortage is already affecting local businesses and seasonal industries. Maine’s charm is undeniable, but it needs more people to enjoy it.
15. Oregon
Oregon was once a migration magnet, especially during the 2010s. But in recent years, it’s started to lose people instead of gain them. Rising housing prices in Portland and quality-of-life concerns, including homelessness and public safety, have taken a toll. The cost of living is now outpacing the appeal of the lifestyle.
Meanwhile, the state’s birth rate is well below replacement level. Rural areas haven’t seen the growth Portland once did, and now they’re feeling the pinch. Fewer kids in schools and a strained housing market are the new reality. Oregon may still be weird—but it’s also getting emptier.
