What does this mean in the context of the situation? It means that on January 1, 2005, the state's population was 1,500. It means that on January 1, 2005, the state's population was decreasing by 1,500 people per year. It means that from January 1, 1980, until January 1, 2005, the state's population decreased by 1,500. It means that from January 1, 1980, until January 1, 2005, the state's population has decreased by 42,500 people