For years, Montgomery County (MoCo), Maryland, was known as the fastest-growing area in the DMV. But in recent years, the population has decreased. This shift has not only stirred concerns throughout the county but also all of Maryland. MoCo is a model that predicts Maryland’s population as a whole, and the rapid population decline has reached the governor’s desk.
According to data from the U.S Census Bureau, MoCo experienced a noticeable drop in population between 2020 and 2021. One report states that the county’s population “dropped 0.5%” during that time period, according to USAFacts. Another source, Moderately MOCO, explains that 2021 was “the first negative population change since 1979.” These two sources not only show the population decline but also its severity.
One major reason for Montgomery County’s population decline is people moving away from the area. Even with MoCo being nationally ranked in education and safety, people have moved because of factors like the high cost of living, housing prices, or job opportunities in other areas. Even though some people are still moving into this country from other countries, more people are leaving for other parts of the U.S., with recent data saying” about 9,400 more people” moved out than moved in domestically, according to USAFacts. This suggests that factors such as those above might be pushing existing residents and new ones…