US Population Growth Slows to Historic Low

Large metro areas and border counties hit hardest as international migration plummets

Mar. 27, 2026 at 5:04am

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New data from the US Census Bureau shows that population growth across the country slowed to one of the lowest rates in history, with the US adding just 1.8 million people between July 2024 and July 2025. The slowdown was largely driven by a rapid fall in international migration due to federal policy changes. Major metro areas like Miami, Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, and New York saw population declines, while the Southeast and Texas suburbs experienced significant growth.

Why it matters

The dramatic shift in population trends has wide-ranging implications for the economy, housing, infrastructure, and political representation across the country. Declining populations in major cities could lead to reduced tax revenues, changes in the labor force, and challenges for urban planning and services. Meanwhile, the growth in the Southeast and Texas suburbs may strain resources in those areas and alter the political landscape.

The details

Of the 2,066 counties that saw population growth between 2023 and 2024, 8 in 10 now face slower growth or even population decline. A total of 1,270 counties lost residents in the year leading up to July 2025, including those with major cities that historically attract large immigrant populations. Miami-Dade County had a dramatic flip, going from the second-largest population increase in 2024 to a population drop of about 10,000 people last year. California's population also fell about 0.02% last year, though some state counties like Sacramento and Fresno eked out small increases. In contrast, the Southeast and Texas suburbs experienced significant growth, with more than 80% of the counties in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Kentucky seeing increases in net domestic migration.

  • The data covers the period from July 2024 to July 2025.
  • The US Census Bureau released the new population data on March 27, 2026.

The players

President Trump

The former US president whose policies on immigration contributed to the rapid fall in international migration.

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The takeaway

The dramatic shift in population trends across the US, with major cities losing residents and the Southeast and Texas suburbs experiencing significant growth, will have wide-ranging implications for the economy, housing, infrastructure, and political representation in the coming years. Policymakers and urban planners will need to adapt to these changing dynamics to ensure the continued prosperity and livability of communities nationwide.