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I think you are being slightly biased in that view by Steelhop
Particularly kids that don't play football because their parents think it is too dangerous will move over to soccer. What has been happening is those kids have moved over to lacrosse.
As for overall numbers, most sports are down across the board by overall numbers. But, I blame that on specialization that is happening at younger ages now more than ever. You wouldn't believe, actually you probably do, the pressure that is put on parents and kids by coaches to specialize in one sport over the other in light of teams of all sports (outside of football) moving to all year travel teams. It is absurd.