Population growth in the United States slowed between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, with an increase of only 1.8 million people, or 0.5%, according to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. This marks the slowest rate of growth since the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The primary factor behind this slowdown is a significant drop in net international migration. Christine Hartley, assistant division chief for Estimates and Projections at the Census Bureau, stated: “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. 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.”
Every region and nearly every state experienced slower population growth or faster declines during this period except Montana and West Virginia.
The Midwest was notable as all its states gained population from July 2024 to July 2025. The region also saw positive net domestic migration for the first time this decade, reversing previous losses seen in earlier years. Marc Perry, senior demographer at the Census Bureau, said: “From July 2024 through June 2025, the Midwest also saw positive net domestic migration for the first time this decade. 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.” States like Ohio and Michigan exemplified these changes with improved net domestic migration figures compared to previous years.
South Carolina led all states with a population increase of 79,958 (a rise of 1.5%), primarily due to increased net domestic migration; Idaho and North Carolina followed closely behind with strong gains driven by similar factors. Texas continued to grow rapidly through both natural change and international migration despite a reduction in gains from abroad.
Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, natural change—births minus deaths—remained steady at around 519,000 nationwide but has declined significantly compared to past decades.
All four U.S regions grew during this period but at reduced rates compared to recent years. The South’s population growth fell below one percent for the first time since 2021 while Northeast experienced its largest drop in growth among regions.
Only five states—California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Vermont and West Virginia—lost population over this span.
Thirty-three states plus Washington D.C. had more births than deaths between July and June compared to fewer such cases during earlier years after pandemic disruptions.
Net international migration decreased across every state but remained positive overall; Florida had one of highest levels alongside Texas and California though its numbers were down sharply compared with previous years.
Puerto Rico’s population declined by about 17 thousand people due mainly to negative natural change (more deaths than births) along with some negative net migration—a reversal from positive trends last year.
The latest estimates reflect updates that include new administrative data sources at subnational levels as well as methodological improvements intended for more accurate projections on monthly national totals.
The Population Estimates Program uses current birth/death/migration data since the last decennial census (in 2020) for annual series covering nation/states/D.C./Puerto Rico; future releases will cover metropolitan areas/counties/municipios later this year.
