Utah GOP Gov. Cox asks Californians to stop 'coming as refugees,' cites rapid-growth challenges

"Our biggest problems are more growth-related," Cox said.

Published: February 14, 2023 12:14pm

Updated: February 14, 2023 12:51pm

Utah GOP Gov. Spencer Cox said he wants Californians "to stay in California instead of coming as refugees to Utah" as his state battles growth-related problems from its rapid expansion.

Cox made the comment when speaking with reporters Friday at the National Governors Association.

"It’s not working to attract more people," he said. "This last census confirmed that Utah was the fastest-growing state over the past 10 years. Our biggest problems are more growth-related. We would love for people to stay in California instead of coming as refugees to Utah."

Utah's population grew from roughly 2.76 million in the 2010 census to 3.21 million in the 2020 census, with the state's 18.3% increase in population being the largest in the nation, Census data shows.

The state grew even more rapidly after the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 3.3% increase in population from April 1, 2020, through July 1, 2022.

California, in comparison, grew 6.13% from 2010 to 2020 but lost 1.3% of its population from April 1, 2020, through July 1, 2022.

Cox said his state is quickly growing, but it is still facing water and housing issues, The Los Angeles Times reported.