Population growth in the United States has slowed, with an increase of 1.8 million people, or 0.5%, between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, according to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. This marks the slowest growth since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
The primary reason for this slowdown is a sharp decline in net international migration. “The slowdown in U.S. population growth is largely due to a historic decline in net international migration, which dropped from 2.7 million to 1.3 million in the period from July 2024 through June 2025,” said Christine Hartley, assistant division chief for Estimates and Projections at the Census Bureau. “With births and deaths remaining relatively stable compared to the prior year, the sharp decline in net international migration is the main reason for the slower growth rate we see today.”
All four census regions and every state except Montana and West Virginia experienced either slower growth or increased population decline during this period.
The Midwest was notable as all its states gained population between July 2024 and July 2025. The region saw steady gains over recent years: about 260,000 in 2023, over 386,000 in 2024, and more than 244,000 in 2025. Slight increases in natural change contributed to this trend.
“From July 2024 through June 2025, the Midwest also saw positive net domestic migration for the first time this decade,” said Marc Perry, senior demographer at the Census Bureau. “And while the net domestic migration was a relatively modest 16,000, this is still a notable turnaround from the substantial domestic migration losses in 2021 and 2022 of -175,000 or greater.” Ohio and Michigan were highlighted as examples of this reversal.
South Carolina led all states with a population increase of nearly 80,000 people (1.5%), primarily due to net domestic migration gains. Idaho (1.4%) and North Carolina (1.3%) followed closely behind with similar trends driving their growth rates. Texas grew by about 1.2%, fueled by both natural change and international migration despite a slowdown in international arrivals; Utah’s growth (1%) was mainly attributed to natural change.
Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025:
– The U.S. population reached approximately 341.8 million.
– Net international migration fell sharply by nearly half compared to last year.
– Natural change—births minus deaths—remained around half a million but is lower than pre-pandemic levels.
– All four major U.S regions posted slower growth than previous years.
– The South’s annual growth dipped below one percent for only the second time since at least 2010.
Five states—California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Vermont and West Virginia—lost population during this period.
Thirty-three states plus Washington D.C had more births than deaths; an improvement over previous years but still below earlier decades’ figures.
Net international migration decreased across every state compared to last year but remained positive overall; Florida (178,674), Texas (167,475), California (109,278), and New York (95,634) received the highest numbers of migrants from abroad.
Net domestic migration patterns shifted as well: thirty-one states recorded gains versus twenty-seven last year; however Florida’s net domestic inflow dropped sharply while Alabama surpassed it for inbound moves.
Puerto Rico continued its long-term trend of population loss—a decrease of about 17,700 people driven by more deaths than births and negative net migration after a brief reversal last year.
Recent changes to estimation methods now include additional administrative data at subnational levels as well as adjustments to short-term projections; further details are available on the Census Bureau blog.
The Population Estimates Program updates national totals annually using current data on births, deaths and movement into or out of areas since the most recent decennial census. Full datasets including components of change are available online for all states plus Puerto Rico.
In March next year additional local-level estimates will be released under embargo before public dissemination per the program’s release schedule. Each annual update revises historical series back to April 1st of the last census.
