Breaking: NM's Brain Drain Continued in 2017

New Mexico's brain drain and population stagnation continued in the 12 months that ended July 1, as the state had a net outmigration of 4,666 people, according to population estimates released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

It means that during those 12 months, 4,666 more people left New Mexico than came here.

The state's population did grow during the year, but only by a measly 2,638 people, or 0.1 percent. That growth occurred only because births outpaced deaths.

As of July 1, the sate's population was 2,088,070.

The exodus of people – and their money – from New Mexico began several years ago, and since 2010, the sate has seen a net outmigration of 42,446 people who have fled to other states for better jobs and safer communities.

And again, those fleeing people have been their money with them. Since 2010, New Mexico has had a net loss of 17,552 taxpaying households, and a net loss of $953.7 million in adjusted gross income. During that time, Bernalillo County also suffered a net loss of taxpaying households and more than $500 million in wealth. (See the stories posted below)

Of states in the region, Oklahoma also had a net outmigration that totaled 3,184 residents.

And while New Mexico's population continued to stagnate, other states, with the exception of Oklahoma, grew robustly.

Nevada grew by 2 percent, or 58,785 people, and Utah grew by 1.9 percent, or 51,512 people. Arizona saw its population increase by 1.6 percent, or 107,628 people. In Colorado the growth rate was 1.4 percent, or 77,047 people. Oklahoma grew by 0.3 percent, or 9,657 people.