As Hawaii’s capital city, Honolulu has lost 11.1% of its population, according to the 2018 census. It’s believed that the main reason why so many people are leaving Hawaii’s famous city is due to its rising living costs.
With the estimated living cost in Honolulu considered to be almost 30% higher than living in Austin, Texas, there are many cheaper alternatives elsewhere in the US. It’s easy to understand why people are leaving Honolulu for more affordable cities.
Ocean City, New Jersey
Despite Ocean City's thriving tourism industry, its residents have been migrating to other cities since 2000. In a space of 10 years, from 2000 to 2010, 23.9% of Ocean City’s residents decided to move to another city.
The population has dwindled by an additional 5.6% since 2010, with the high cost of living the most conceivable reason for this trend in migration. People from across New Jersey are leaving for better prices as the State's residential prices are astronomical.
Shreveport, Louisiana
Louisiana is known for its many festivals; even in Shreveport, there's a springtime celebration, “Holiday in Dixie,” and the “Red River Revel,” an arts and crafts fair. Still, even that couldn't keep the population stable. Shreveport has seen its population decrease by 5.2% since 2010 with predictions that this trend will continue.
Like many midsize American cities, Shreveport deals with infrastructure concerns, salary inequality, and crime. But there are still the many positives to this city, like friendly people, beautiful green spaces and great food!
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls might be home to one of the most iconic sights in the US, but the city itself has experienced a steady decline and has fought to hold onto its city status in more recent years. In 2010 the city had lost over half of its residents in the '50s.
The 2018 census rates Niagara Falls lost a further 4.1% of its population, with the manufacturing industry's decline likely to be the main reason.
Jackson, Mississippi
Mississippi is experiencing a mass migration across many towns and cities as people are discovering other parts of the country with more opportunities. Some believe the state’s shortage of jobs and lack of leisure pursuits only encourage people to reevaluate where they live.
With the unemployment rate higher in Mississippi than the national average, Jackson is struggling the most. Jackson’s population has dwindled by 5.2% since 2010 as people are looking for a better quality of life somewhere else.