"Brain Drain Hits Big Apple: NYC Experiences First Net Loss of Residents in Decades. A shocking new study from the Citizens' Budget Commission reveals that New York City has experienced a significant decline in population for the first time in decades, with more residents fleeing the city than moving in. The alarming trend is particularly pronounced among low- and middle-income New Yorkers, who are leaving the city at higher rates than their wealthier counterparts. As the city struggles to maintain its economic and cultural vitality, the loss of these essential residents threatens to exacerbate existing social and economic disparities, raising important questions about the future of the nation's largest metropolis."
New York City lost more residents than it gained in 2025, with low- and middle-income New Yorkers leaving at higher rates, a Citizens' Budget Commission study found.
