California’s population is projected to remain stagnant until 2060, according to state forecasts.

California Population Growth Projections Revised Downward

New ⁣projections from the California government suggest the state will see little⁤ population growth through 2060, ‌a⁤ far less optimistic outlook than previous‌ forecasts.

The data from​ the California Department of Finance show a predicted‌ population⁢ of 39.51 million in 2060. The state currently has a ⁢population of 39.24 million ​and had projected it would reach 45 million people by 2060 in previous years. At ‍39.52 million, California’s ⁣2020 population is higher than ⁢its projected 2060 number.

The projections also show California reaching 40⁤ million people in ⁣2050, a far cry from ⁤the state’s 2007​ projection that it would have a population of 59.5 million in that year.

Population Loss and‍ Rising Crime Rates

The state posted its first population loss ⁣in 2020, as ​crime increased ⁤and ⁢pandemic measures were some‍ of the strictest in the nation.

Crime is up in ‍many of⁢ the state’s major cities.‍ Homicides in San Francisco increased nearly 40 percent from 2020 ​to ​2022 and deaths​ from fentanyl ⁤ spiked. Los​ Angeles saw ​an 11 percent increase in ‌its​ crime rate in 2022.

San ‌Francisco lost more than ⁣50,000 residents last year—marking the highest population decrease for any major U.S. city.

“L.A. is finished,” rapper Curtis “50 ‌Cent” Jackson said earlier this month​ after Los Angeles County reinstated a⁣ zero-bail policy for people charged with nonviolent felonies.

Earlier ‌this month, a man reported as homeless attacked ‌ a ⁢Santa Monica city councilman. The man was charged with‍ battery and grand theft, marking his ​third felony arrest in ‌less ‌than three ⁢weeks. He ⁣had been released twice⁣ from Los‍ Angeles County jail on felony charges days before ‌the‍ attack.

Progressive⁢ Prosecutors and Government Control

Progressive prosecutors bankrolled by billionaire megadonor ⁣George Soros have piled on to the​ crime increase by refusing to convict⁤ criminals ​and giving lenient sentences when they do.

Alameda County district attorney Pamela Price,​ who is facing a recall effort‍ after just six⁣ months ⁢in office,⁤ said this month that her job “has no impact on crime.”

Democrats ‍are meanwhile focused‌ on increasing‌ government control, including‌ by restarting a​ commission that gives the state the​ power to set wages in certain industries. ‌Experts are⁤ warning ​the move could kill jobs and hurt small businesses.