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New York state's population continues to decline

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP & WXXI News)  New numbers from the U.S. Census show New York state's population continued to decline last year.

According to figures released Thursday, the state's total population dropped by more than 48,000 between July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018, to a total of 19.5 million.

In the Rochester area, Monroe and Ontario counties saw slight gains; Monroe County's population, at 742,474 was up by 38 people, and Ontario, at 109,864  gained 255. Most other area counties saw small declines in population.

But the population change for some of the local counties was more dramatic when you look at census figures for 2012. In that year, Monroe was at 747,813, more than 5,300 above the most recent numbers. 

For many years, population declines in many upstate areas were offset by growth in and around New York City. This year, however, the Census Bureau reports the city's population declined by nearly 40,000 over the one-year period after officials revised international immigration estimates.

New York is the nation's fourth largest state by population after California, Texas and Florida.

Continued population declines could cost the state one or even two congressional seats when U.S. House seats are reapportioned following the 2020 census.

Copyright 2019 WXXI News

Associated Press
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