15 Fastest-Declining States in the US

3. Louisiana

Percentage Change in Population: -1.32%

Population Decline: 61,423

Louisiana, located in the southeastern United States along the Gulf of Mexico, has been experiencing significant population losses in recent years. The New Orleans-Metairie Metropolitan Area, in particular, has seen the highest losses compared to any large metropolitan area nationwide from 2020 to 2023. Several factors have contributed to the state’s population decline. For instance, the devastating hurricanes hitting the coast since 2020 and the following property insurance crisis have led some residents to leave the state while deterring others from relocating here. Louisiana ranks third on our list of fastest-declining states in the US.