For Fiscal 2024, ending June 30, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the U.S. population grew by about 1% to 340.1 million, which was the fastest growth since 2001. This includes 2.7 million net arrivals of immigrants. This was fueled by a surge in legal and illegal arrivals, a falling birthrate and a death rate propped up by an aging population.”[1] This net arrival figure is after the subtraction of 271,484 immigrants who were deported last fiscal year by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.[2]
The South accounted for 54% of this growth led by Texas (+563,000) and Florida (+467,000). Only three states were estimated to have lost population, and just barely: Vermont, West Virginia, and Mississippi.
“Immigrants became a major source of U.S. growth because of recently high numbers of people coming to the U.S., a historically low birthrate and a death rate that, while down from pandemic peaks, remains elevated in part because of the graying population.”
“Many states would have lost population if not for immigration. California, for example, lost about 240,000 people to other states. But it netted about 361,000 immigrants, Census estimates show. New Jersey lost a net 36,000 residents to other states but added 131,000 from abroad. Overall, about two-thirds of immigrants who arrived in the last year were concentrated in 10 states.”
“Seventeen states saw more deaths than births in the recent year. The biggest impact was in West Virginia and three New England states with particularly old populations: Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.”
“President-elect Donald Trump’s proposals to limit immigration and boost deportations could affect the nation’s ability to grow, given its heavy reliance on immigrants.” Moreover, “a significant loss of immigrant labor could put upward pressure on wages and prices.”
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[1] Kamp, Follow & Follow, Immigrants Dominate U.S. Population Growth, W.S.J. (Dec.19, 2024).
[2] Miroff & Sacchetti, U.S. deportations at highest level since 2014, ICE report shows, Wash. Post (Dec. 19, 2024).
