Oahu lost 12,337 residents from July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released today, continuing a trend that was hurried along by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated Oahu’s population at 1,000,890 as of July 1, 2021, down 1.2%, from the year-earlier figure.

In releasing the population estimates and components of change for the nation’s 3,143 counties and other statistical areas, the Census Bureau noted that “fewer births, an aging population and increased mortality — intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic — contributed to a rise in natural decrease nationwide.”

In Hawaii, however, although COVID-19 claimed roughly 500 lives over the July-to-July period, according to state Department of Health data, the state still recorded more births than deaths over those 12 months. And Oahu led the way with a natural population increase of 1,468.

That helped soften a bit the pandemic’s effect on residents fleeing the state over the high cost of living and more job opportunities.

Oahu saw a net migration loss of 13,686 residents over the one-year period, the Census data show. Although net international migration added 652 residents to the island’s population, the number of residents moving to or from the mainland showed a net loss of 14,338.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down most segments of Hawaii’s economy, and chiefly its critical tourism industry. Chief State Economist Eugene Tian said that “since the U.S. economy recovered faster than Hawaii, more people may have moved to the mainland.”

Maui County’s population also declined over the 12-month period, by 434 residents to 164,221, a drop of 0.3%.

Hawaii and Kauai counties saw population increases during that time, likely due to housing affordability, especially on the Big Island, according to Tian, who heads the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s Research and Economic Analysis Division.

Hawaii County, the state’s second most-populous in the state, had an estimated 202,906 residents, an increase of 2,160, or 1.1%, according to Census data.

Kauai County saw its population grow by 253 residents to 73,454, an increase of 0.3%.

A previous Census data release estimated the state’s total population at 1,441,553 as of July 1, 2021, down 0.7% from July 1, 2020, figure. The total includes the 82 residents of Kalawao County, Molokai.