“Discover the 8 States Soaring to Success—And the 8 That Are Just Barely Holding On!”
Affordability matters, even in places with undeniable appeal. When people feel like they’ll always be renters, struggling to make ends meet despite good salaries, they look for a less punishing alternative.
3. New York: (0.6% decline, 107,762 fewer New Yorkers)
The state boasts NYC, but suffers from a similar affordability crisis, along with harsh winters. While its population decrease was smaller in percentage terms, the raw numbers are sobering.
Global power cities come at a cost. The question is whether average residents feel it’s worth it. When opportunity exists elsewhere at a lower cost of living, even iconic places begin to lose their grip.
4. Louisiana: (0.5% decline, losing 22,821 people)
A beautiful state with a unique culture, Louisiana struggles with a lack of well-paying jobs outside its dominant petrochemical industry. Climate change is an existential threat, with hurricanes forcing relocation inland.
States overly tied to a single industry are at the mercy of market forces beyond their control. And failing to plan for the escalating impacts of climate change is a recipe for ongoing displacement and economic turmoil.
5. West Virginia: (0.5% decline, a decrease of 8,237 people)
Long reliant on coal, its decline hits West Virginia hard. A shrinking, aging population and the opioid crisis further erode its tax base.
When a region’s economic identity fades and no viable alternative emerges, young people, in particular, will leave for more hopeful places. This hollows out communities.
