California is bleeding residents for the first time since the pandemic — with more than 50,000 leaving the Golden State last year, a new report revealed.

The California Department of Finance recorded a 0.14% decline in population statewide as of January 1, or a net of 54,000 residents.

The drop to 39,593,000 total residents “marks the first year of population loss after three

consecutive years of population increases following the COVID-19 pandemic,” the report said.

Los Angeles County led the charge out of California, with 64,000 people fleeing the state’s most populous county in 2025. frank peters – stock.adobe.com

The city of Los Angeles recorded the largest loss at 0.9% of residents.…