San Jose no longer among top 10 largest US cities

San Jose, the largest city in the Bay Area, has fallen out of the top 10 largest cities in the United States by population, according to the latest data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. For decades, San Jose had occupied the No. 10 spot with slightly less than one million residents, but its population has dwindled, and it now ranks as the 12th largest city in the nation.

The U.S. Census Bureau had stated that as of July 2022, the top five largest cities in the United States are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix. San Jose has been eclipsed by Austin, Texas, and Jacksonville, Florida, since they gained two spots in the rankings, which resulted in the former’s exclusion. San Jose’s population currently stands at 971,233, indicating a 1% decrease since the previous year and a more substantial decline of over 4% since April 2020, according to census data.

Meanwhile, San Francisco, the neighboring city of San Jose, has been ranked 17th with a population of 808,444, reflecting a half-percent decline from the previous year. The Bay Area is well-known for its robust housing market and high cost of living, which may have played a role in the population shift. According to reports, many people are leaving due to the region’s high cost of living and relocating to states such as Texas and Florida. Lower taxes and affordable housing have been cited as some of the key reasons why the two states are rapidly growing in population.

Despite the region’s economic success and booming tech industry, higher living standards and increased cost of living are deterring people from staying in the Bay Area. San Jose’s population decline is a reflection of this phenomenon. These changes are being monitored closely, and local officials are taking proactive measures for the future.