Despite a slowing pace of exodus following the pandemic, New York City has experienced a significant population decline, with nearly 78,000 residents leaving last year alone. This brings the total decrease to over half a million since April 2020, according to recent US Census data. While the loss has been substantial, it marks a decrease from the cumulative total of 126,000 residents lost in 2022.
In the 12 months leading up to July 1, approximately 160,000 individuals departed the city, while around 52,000 new residents arrived through international migration. This influx, however, does not fully offset the overall loss, resulting in a population of around 8.3 million when factoring in births and deaths. These figures illustrate a continued challenge for New York City even as it sees a surge in international arrivals.
Notably, Manhattan was the only borough in NYC that experienced population growth, with an increase of 2,908 people. In contrast, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island all saw declines in residents, with Brooklyn being the most populous borough and losing 28,306 individuals. This variation in population shifts among the boroughs highlights the complex dynamics at play in the city's demographic landscape.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently reported that around 182,000 migrants have arrived in the city since the spring of 2022. While some migrants have since left or transitioned out of the city’s shelter system, approximately 64,800 individuals were still under the city’s care as of last week. With the average daily cost to support each migrant household amounting to $387, the city anticipates that the total expenditure on migrant support in shelters will reach about $10 billion by the end of the next fiscal year.
As NYC navigates these population shifts and the challenges posed by the lingering effects of the pandemic, it remains a dynamic and evolving urban center grappling with both growth and decline in its resident numbers.