Most of Palm Beach County's 38 municipalities lost residents last year but so far, there is no exodus.

Twenty-seven of the county's communities had more people moving out than in for a total loss of 2,238 from 2006 to 2007, according to U.S. Census estimates released today. Broward County didn't fare so well, as 15,000 people total relocated from cities that lost population.

"At some point, these plateaus have to happen — they are reflective of international events and trends, like gas prices," Jim Murley, director of the Catanese Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions at Florida Atlantic University, said of the Palm Beach County numbers. "It doesn't surprise me."

Demographers say those who are leaving represent a combination of immigrants who use South Florida as a way station before relocating to less expensive areas, Baby Boomers who are retiring to Tennessee or North Carolina where they can live more cheaply, seniors who move in with relatives up North and young people who can't afford to buy in South Florida.

"We're seeing a lot of places in Florida that are going down as a result of the bursting of the housing bubble and the substantial slowdown in the economy and job creation," said Stan Smith, director of the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida.

27 of 38 cities in Palm Beach County lost residents - South Florida Sun-Sentinel - July 9, 2008

Other stories on this topic:
Population drops in 26 of 31 Broward municipalities - South Florida Sun-Sentinel - July 9, 2008
City's population inches up nearly 1% - Gainesville Sun - July 12, 2008