From the story by reporter Danny MacDonald:

Massachusetts and Rhode Island have lost residents over the past two years, part of an overall population drain in the Northeast, as Americans migrate south and west, according to new US Census figures.

... Rhode Island, meanwhile, saw its population decline by about 3,200 residents between July 2021 and July 2022. The Ocean State topped out at 1,097,371 residents in 2020, but this summer, that figure stood at 1,093,734, according to Census figures.

All told, 18 states experienced a population decline between July 2021 and July 2022. New York, California, and Illinois all experienced six-figure losses in population, which were the biggest decreases in the nation.

The populations of other New England states saw some growth year over year. Maine added about 8,100 residents. New Hampshire added about 7,700. Connecticut added about 2,800, and Vermont grew by a little more than 90 residents.

Overall, however, the Northeast experienced a population drain of nearly 219,000 residents year over year, as the South and West grew by 1.3 million and 153,000, respectively. (The Midwest saw a population decline of nearly 49,000 residents.)