California’s Resurgence: A Beacon for Growth as More People Choose the Golden State.

Contrary to the doomsayers’ predictions, California is experiencing a resurgence in population growth. The notion of a declining Golden State is now a thing of the past, as recent trends defy the historical pattern of population loss. California is once again on an upward trajectory.

Indeed, the latest figures from the Newsom administration, set to be unveiled around May 1, indicate a renewed increase in the state’s population after a three-year period of decline. But what has sparked this reversal?

The shift can be attributed to several factors. The trend of remote work across state lines is diminishing, the mortality rate among the elderly, which spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, has normalized, and the Biden administration has eased legal immigration restrictions.

State demographer Walter Schwarm explains, “These elements are the primary drivers behind the resurgence of population growth.” According to Schwarm, the forthcoming data will reveal that California’s population exceeded 39 million as of January 1.

The corporate landscape is also changing, with businesses increasingly mandating in-person attendance, typically two to three days a week, in a hybrid work model. This requirement is anchoring residents to California and attracting newcomers. “The adoption of hybrid work models in late 2022 and throughout 2023 has led to a historical influx of individuals relocating to California,” Schwarm notes.

Moreover, these new Californians tend to be well-educated and command higher incomes. Schwarm’s data shows that while 26% of the state’s workforce operated remotely in 2021, that figure has since halved to just under 13% and continues to decline. In a recent directive, Governor Newsom has ordered state employees to report to the office at least twice weekly starting in June.

Cabinet Secretary Ann Patterson highlights the advantages of in-person work, including “enhanced collaboration, cohesion, communication, and improved opportunities for mentorship and supervision.” Currently, about half of the state’s workforce is required to be on-site, while the remainder engage in various remote work arrangements.

Private sector employers are often one step ahead, already enforcing hybrid or in-person work policies, which has implications for domestic migration patterns. Meanwhile, birth rates remain static, but with 117,500 more births than deaths last year, the population continues to grow.

Schwarm points out that a significant portion of California’s legal immigrants — 42% from Asia and 38% from Central America — are highly educated, with 57% holding at least a bachelor’s degree. Last year, the state welcomed over 124,000 legal foreign immigrants. “For the first time in recent memory, we’re witnessing growth,” states H.D. Palmer, a spokesperson for the state Department of Finance.