The article seems to ignore a big group: California nets about 100K or more immigrants from outside the US each year, which would cover the gap in recent year.
Yes, the article specifically about internal migration doesn't address external migration.
> California nets about 100K or more immigrants from outside the US each year, which would cover the gap in recent year.
Sure, but it doesn't change it from near balance to anything but even nearer balance; it's nothing like 2 in for 1 out on a statewide basis.
California's population has grown every year since at least 1960, but the headline and article would make you think otherwise.