Census reveals some new year thoughts

For the past two years, we’ve been receiving regular updates from the U.S. Census Bureau on results of the 2020 Census, which, of course, were delayed due to COVID. Remember all that? Hardly any door-to-door census contact as COVID was all anyone, and especially government agencies, could talk about and take precautions against.
        But, the emails have been flowing with info for awhile now, and as the year came to an end the past week, some of the data caught my eye—it was about those states that gained and lost populations based on the Bureau’s estimates for 2022. Regular updates from the Bureaucontinue even after the every-10-year census is completed.
        The information dated Dec. 22, 2022, reports that New York, California and Illinois were the top three states for population declines in 2022—all with six-figure losses, while Florida and Texas were the fastest-growing states.
    While international migration played a part in the growth in Florida and Texas, their biggest population gains were due to domestic migration, or people moving there from another state. Meanwhile, New York lost 299,557 people last year and 343,230 moved from California.
    While a lot of issues can play a part in a person’s or family’s decision to move, the lack of COVID restrictions and strong leadership in the states of Florida and Texas must be considered. Governors of those states were adamant about letting their residents make decisions on the early fears surrounding COVID and the vaccines that came later, while protecting those most vulnerable. While Nebraska didn’t end up in the top 10 for growth, state officials here can also be commended for their restraint in those areas.
    Freedom and personal responsibility are alive and well in Florida and Texas, and certainly are reasons thousands moved there.