While U.S. population growth slowed significantly between 2024 and 2025, five states recorded population growth rates of at least 1%, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau released Jan. 27.
Here are four things to know:
1. U.S. population growth increased 0.5%, or 1.8 million people, between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. This marked the slowest growth since 2021, when the population increased 0.2%.
This period of slower growth followed 1% growth in 2024, or 3.2 million people, which was the fastest annual population growth rate since 2006.
2. The slowdown was largely attributed to a decrease in net international migration, which fell from 2.7 million to 1.3 million during the same period — a 53.8% decline.
3. All four census regions and every state, except Montana and West Virginia, experienced slower population growth.
4. South Carolina was the fastest-growing state, with its population increasing by 79,958 residents, or 1.5%. This marked a slight decrease from the state’s 1.8% growth rate in 2024.
Here are the 10 fastest-growing states in the U.S. based on population percent growth from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025:
1. South Carolina: 1.5%
2. Idaho: 1.4%
3. North Carolina: 1.3%
4. Texas: 1.2%
5. Utah: 1.0%
6. Delaware: 0.9%
7. Washington: 0.9%
8. Arizona: 0.9%
9. Nevada: 0.9%
10. Tennessee: 0.9%
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