[quote=EconProf]Of course immigrants are just as valid. But this discussion is about whether people are moving into or out of CA vis-a-vis other states.
My point was that a state’s population growth or lack of it is the product of other factors as well, such as immigration and birth rates. Those factors are high for CA, which offsets the net out-migration of Californians to other states. People are leaving in droves, so let’s address the problems causing this.
Incidentally, we need those immigrants and fertile families to offset the plunging birth rate. Social security and medicare are doomed given present trends. Only a growing economy and growing population can bail these programs out.[/quote]
People are no longer leaving the state in droves. At least in 2011 it was roughly 6 leaving for every 5 moving in. (link previously provided) Given that California lead the country in new job creation which was proportionally almost double the rest of the country in 2012, I suspect 2012 will be an even lower ratio of out-migration, maybe even reversing the trend. Rising real estate prices may stop that trend dead in its tracks.
