A new report from the Census Bureau says U.S. population growth slowed sharply between July 2024 and July 2025, rising by just 1.8 million people, or 0.5%. This marks the slowest growth since the early COVID-19 years and follows a strong rebound in 2024, when population increased by 3.2 million, or 1%, the fastest rate since 2006. They say the primary cause was a steep drop in net international migration, which fell from 2.7 million to 1.3 million. Births and deaths remained relatively stable. In addition, they point out that slower population growth was felt across the country with all four census regions and every state except Montana and West Virginia seeing slower growth (or their decline accelerate). Overall trends signal a notable demographic shift nationwide.
“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.” Said Christine Hartley, assistant division chief for Estimates and Projections at the Census Bureau.
Slower population growth was felt across the country. All four census regions and every state except Montana and West Virginia saw their growth slow, or their decline accelerate.
Click here to read the full report at the U.S. Census Bureau.
