HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii’s population continued to decline in 2021 largely because more residents left the state for the mainland than moved in, new Census Bureau estimates show.
Oahu saw the most dramatic decline, losing a net total of more than 12,300 residents.
Maui County also saw a decline in population ― of just over 430 residents.
Meanwhile, Hawaii Island gained more 2,000 residents and Kauai County grew by about 250 people.
The Census Bureau put Hawaii’s population in July 2021 at 1,455,271. That’s a decline of .7% or 10,358 people from the year before.
Hawaii’s population has been on the decline for several years a
Oahu’s population in 2021 was 1,000,890, down 1.2% or 12,337 from the year before.
The Census Bureau said mainland outmigration drove Oahu’s population decline.
Statewide, births still exceed deaths ― but the gap between the two is narrowing. And Hawaii County and Kauai both saw more deaths than births.
Nationwide, more than 73% of U.S. counties saw more deaths than births in 2021. That’s up by about half the previous year.
Experts said fewer births, an aging population and increased mortality intensified by the COVID pandemic contributed to the situation, the Census Bureau said.
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