Reports from both lawmakers and real estate agents indicated that during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and 2021, scores of wealthy New Yorkers fled the city and bought up homes in Connecticut, but numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show mixed results for Connecticut’s overall population.
The Census Bureau released state data for 2020 and 2021, showing that between April, 1 of 2020 and July 1, 2021, Connecticut saw a small net decrease of 347 in the state’s overall population.
Net migration into the state during that period was 5,222, with almost all of that coming from international migration and being offset by 6,113 more deaths than births, known as the “natural increase.”
However, when measured over a twelve-month period from July of 2020 to July of 2021, Connecticut saw a population increase of 5,337, with domestic migration outpacing international migration and the influx of new residents surpassing the net loss of 4,975 people due to deaths.
This was the first time since 2010 that the Census Bureau found more people moved into Connecticut from elsewhere in the United States than left. Net domestic migration between 2011 and 2020 averaged -21,947.
But the three months between April and July of 2020 appear to have had a big impact on Connecticut’s population numbers.
The overall net domestic migration for Connecticut during the fifteen-month period beginning in April of 2020 was 226 people, meaning that Connecticut lost almost as many residents to other states during the onset of COVID-19 as it gained throughout the twelve-month period from July 2020 to July 2021.
(CTMirror.org)
Throughout the course of the pandemic, real estate agents indicated they saw record demand for property in Connecticut with well-off individuals and families, largely from New York, offering cash for houses well above asking price.
Lawmakers also saw this as a moment when Connecticut would turn the tide of perpetual population loss, with Gov. Ned Lamont saying an influx of taxpayers would be good for state government’s bottom line during an October 2020 news conference.
But the overall result is mixed. Those moving into Connecticut likely had ample spending power, which could bring increased income tax revenue to the state, but for nearly every house sold and every new resident, Connecticut also saw someone move out resulting in an overall flat population trend during the pandemic.
Other states saw massive decreases in population during the same fifteen-month time period, with New York losing 365,336 people in total with 407,257 more people leaving New York for other states than coming from them. California and Illinois also topped the lists for total population loss.
Meanwhile, Texas saw a population increase of 382,436, and Florida saw an increase of 242,941.
Overall, the Northeast lost 449,310 residents and the Midwest declined 144,010, while the South picked up 959,222 new residents and the West 78,562.
According to the Census Bureau, the United States saw its lowest rate of population increase in the nation’s history at .1 percent, which they attributed to lower international migration, decreased fertility and increased deaths due to COVID-19.
“Population growth has been slowing for years because of lower birth rates and decreasing net international migration, all while mortality rates are rising due to the aging of the nation’s population,” said Census Bureau Demographer Katie Wilder in a press release. “Now, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this combination has resulted in a historically slow pace of growth.”
Connecticut’s population growth stalled and began to decline starting around 2013. According to the Census Bureau, Connecticut’s population increased only .9 percent between 2010 and 2020.
Comments
3 responses to “Connecticut’s population change during COVID is mixed, according to Census figures”
Piberman
Population changes are best viewed from longer perspectives than just a year. The continued fundamental observation is CT’s decade long stagnant population. Not surprising given its decade long stagnant economy and employment level. There’s no reason to expect substantial change without State and local leadership more cognizant with high school economics. Namely CT’s State and local tax “leadership” continues to discourage major new business for investing in CT. With CT’s major “industry’ as its public employees 120,000 strong CT remains a poster child for economic stagnation. Nearby NY and Mass have vigorous economies encouraging hi-tech industries with schools/universities producing hi-tech labor forces. CT spends many billions educating its youngsters only to see most grads leave CT for better opportunities. We call that “exporting our human capital”. As long as CT residents remain satisfied with the current arrangements why expect change ?
COVID no doubt created a migration from NYC to CT. However, the exodus south is driven by taxes, a bad business climate and for some, one party rule. It’s hard being a conservative and voicing your options without anonymity. Most of just zip it in our work day world or in group settings
While discussions about CT’s stagnant economy go back more than a decade what is particularly distressing is that we spend collectively many billions on local public and higher education each year only to have a major portion of our graduates leave CT for other States with better prospects. In effect we’re investing in our “human capital” and then exporting our scarce human capital to other States. And continuing the transient nature of our population with most CT residents reportedly born outside our State.
Decades ago when transferred to NYC and looking for a CT town we were impressed that Norwalk had a reputation for inter-generational families. And indeed we made many friends whose families had been here for decades. That made for vigorous political parities and active community life. Downtown had oodles of family businesses that had been active for many decades. Sadly we have a different city.
Raising questions about CT’s decade long stagnation ought be far more than throwing stones at CT’s leaders. Or asking why public employees remain our largest “industry”.It’s about recapturing the attractions that once made CT one of the nation’s premier locations to live, work and raise families. Judging from our current political discussions ending CT’s decade long stagnation seems far down the list of major concerns. That ensures a less attractive State to future generations. And more problems for local governance and our public school achievements.
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