California’s aging population is raising concerns as young people turn to other states for cheaper housing and a lower cost of living.

In the state’s largest city, the age gap is striking. Between 2012 and 2022, the number of residents in Los Angeles under the age of 10 decreased by 20%, and those between 10 and 19 decreased by 14%. Meanwhile, the city’s elderly population saw a significant increase, with the number of residents aged 60 increasing by 32% and those aged 70 increasing by 40%. California has one of the lowest fertility rates in the nation and is simultaneously experiencing the lowest birth rates recorded in over a century.