Data shows nearly three-quarters of US counties saw population dips in 2021

WASHINGTON

Nearly three in four US counties saw population declines in 2021 as the nation grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Census Bureau data.

The figures released on Thursday depict a dramatic uptick in declines from the two previous years. Over 73% of counties recorded more deaths than births -- what is referred to as a natural decrease -- in 2021, compared to 55.5% in 2020, and 45.5% the year prior.

Every county in Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island recorded a natural decrease in 2021, the Census Bureau said in a statement. About half -- 55% -- of all metro areas also did so.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida, and North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida saw the highest levels of loss.

Texas, however, was home to five of the top 10 counties that experienced population gains in 2021, including gains through migration. Los Angeles County experienced the largest net population loss, due largely to its tallying the highest net number of people leaving the area. In all, 179,757 net residents left the county.

New York County, home to the city of the same name, was second with a net loss of 113,642 residents.

“The patterns we’ve observed in domestic migration shifted in 2021,” said Dr. Christine Hartley, the Census Bureau’s top official for estimates and projections within the Population Division, said.

“Even though over time we’ve seen a higher number of counties with natural decrease and net international migration continuing to decline, in the past year, the contribution of domestic migration counteracted these trends so there were actually more counties growing than losing population,” she added.