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Yuma Today
By the People, for the People
US Counties, Including 1 in Kentucky, Shrinking Fastest
New Census data shows population decline accelerating in many areas, especially along the southern border and in hurricane-impacted regions.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:48am
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According to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau, around 80% of the country's more than 3,000 counties saw declining population or slower growth between July 2024 and July 2025. The biggest drops were in counties along the U.S.-Mexico border and in areas hit hard by hurricanes, like Florida's Gulf Coast. One Kentucky county was also among the top 10 for largest percentage population declines.
Why it matters
The population shifts highlighted in the new Census data reflect broader demographic trends impacting communities across the U.S., including the decline in international migration, the effects of natural disasters, and the ongoing migration of residents from urban centers to suburban and exurban areas. These population changes can have significant implications for local economies, infrastructure needs, and political representation.
The details
The Census Bureau attributes the widespread population declines to a significant drop in international immigration during the first year of President Donald Trump's second term, as well as the impact of destructive hurricanes like Helene and Milton that hit Florida's Gulf Coast in 2024. Counties along the U.S.-Mexico border, like Laredo, Texas; Yuma, Arizona; and El Centro, California, saw some of the biggest drops in growth. Large metro areas that rely on international migration, such as those in the New York region, also experienced slower growth or population loss. Additionally, counties in Florida's Panhandle region, like Taylor County, were hit hard by the hurricanes and saw steep percentage declines.
- The Census data covers the period from July 2024 to July 2025.
- Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Florida's Gulf Coast in the fall of 2024.
The players
U.S. Census Bureau
The federal agency responsible for collecting and publishing demographic data about the United States population.
President Donald Trump
The former U.S. president whose policies during his second term contributed to a decline in international migration to the country.
George M. Hayward
A Census Bureau demographer who commented on the population trends in large metro areas.
What they’re saying
“'The nation's largest counties like those in the New York metro area are often international migration hubs, gaining large numbers of international migrants and losing people that move to other parts of the country via domestic migration. With fewer gains from international migration, these types of counties saw their population growth diminish or even turn into loss.'”
— George M. Hayward, Census Bureau demographer
What’s next
The Census Bureau will continue to monitor population trends across the country and release updated data in the coming years.
The takeaway
The new Census data highlights the significant demographic shifts occurring in many U.S. counties, driven by factors like changes in immigration patterns, the impact of natural disasters, and the ongoing migration of residents from urban to suburban and exurban areas. These population changes will have far-reaching implications for local communities.
