Editorial: Why are companies leaving California?

Executive Summary

Since approximately 2010, California has experienced measurable outflows of both business headquarters and high-value capital. Independent research indicates that hundreds of corporate headquarters have relocated out of the state, while billions of dollars in personal income and wealth have moved with departing residents. 

This report summarizes those trends using publicly available research, IRS migration data, and documented corporate relocations.

Section 1 – Companies that have left California

Between 2011 and 2021, approximately 789 corporate headquarters left California on a net basis.