SmartAsset has released its 2025 study analyzing U.S. population trends based on newly published data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1-Year American Community Survey. The report, which examines changes between 2023 and 2024, ranks all 50 states by their one-year percentage change in total population.
Nationwide Population Growth
Across the country, the average population growth was 1.55%. While every state except one saw gains, the pace and composition of growth varied significantly. Factors influencing these shifts include birth rates, immigration, and domestic migration. According to SmartAsset, demographic changes at both the state and county levels can impact local economies through shifts in demand for housing, schools, infrastructure, and public services.
Fastest-Growing States
Florida topped the list with a 3.37% increase, adding roughly 760,000 residents to reach a population of 23.27 million in 2024. Texas followed with 2.58% growth, while Utah (2.51%), Nevada (2.29%), and New Jersey (2.26%) rounded out the top five. Other notable increases were seen in Arizona, South Carolina, North Carolina, Delaware, and Massachusetts — each posting growth rates near or above 1.9%.
States With Slower or Negative Growth
West Virginia was the only state to experience a population decline, losing 92 residents over the one-year period. Its remaining population of approximately 1.77 million continued to age, with fewer children and a higher proportion of adults aged 65 and older. Mississippi, Vermont, and Montana saw the slowest growth among the states with positive increases, each under 0.5%.
Aging and Youth Trends
The study also reported changes in the age composition of state populations. New Hampshire recorded the fastest rate of aging, as residents aged 65 and older grew from 20.7% to 21.5% of the state’s total population in a single year. Other states with notable aging trends included Wyoming, Montana, Vermont, and Alaska.
Only Iowa and South Carolina showed an increase in the proportion of children under five. In Iowa, this group grew from 5.68% to 5.74% of the population, while South Carolina saw a rise from 5.32% to 5.35%.
Methodology
SmartAsset’s analysis ranked states based on total population change between 2023 and 2024, using U.S. Census Bureau data. The study also evaluated the relative changes in populations under five years old and over 65, as well as county-level growth rates across each state.
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