Is La Really Shrinking? the Shocking Truth Behind Los Angeles's Latest Population Count

Are is La Really Shrinking? the Shocking Truth Behind Los Angeles's Latest Population Count something you want to understand? Read key explanations in our feature story.

Q1: What is the current population of the City of Los Angeles?
The latest official U.S. Census Bureau estimates place the City of Los Angeles population at approximately 3.82 million residents.

Q2: Is Los Angeles still the second most populous city in the United States?
Yes. Los Angeles remains firmly the second most populous US city, trailing New York City (around 8.25 million) and sitting comfortably ahead of Chicago (roughly 2.66 million).

Q3: How many people live in Los Angeles County compared to the city?
Los Angeles County contains 88 incorporated cities, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Glendale, and holds an estimated 9.66 million people, making it the most populous county in the entire country.

Q4: Why did people leave Los Angeles between 2020 and 2023?
The primary driver was housing affordability. Skyrocketing rents, home prices exceeding $900,000, and the rise of remote employment prompted many middle- and lower-income residents to relocate to nearby inland counties or lower-cost states.