Census Data Shows Population Changes Across US States

South Carolina sees highest growth, Vermont shrinks in 2025

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:15am

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Newly released Census Bureau data shows that South Carolina had the highest percentage increase in its population from July 2024 to July 2025, growing by 1.5%. Meanwhile, Vermont shrank by 0.3% due to more deaths than births and more people moving out than moving in. The overall US population increased by just 0.5%, the lowest uptick since 2021, mainly due to a plunge in net international migration.

Why it matters

Population changes can have significant economic and political implications for states, affecting factors like representation, federal funding, and economic growth. The data provides insights into domestic and international migration patterns that are important for policymakers and businesses to understand.

The details

The Census Bureau data showed that while most states grew in population, the growth was slower than in 2024. The Midwest was the only region where every state saw population increases, driven by modest net domestic migration gains. Nineteen states and Washington, D.C. saw more people move out than move in, with New York, Hawaii, and Alaska being most affected when adjusted for population size.

  • The data covers population changes from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025.
  • The Census Bureau published the new data on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.

The players

Census Bureau

The federal agency responsible for collecting and publishing demographic data about the United States population.

Marc Perry

Senior demographer at the Census Bureau.

Christine Hartley

Census Bureau official who commented on the population data.

Jed Kolko

Senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics who analyzed the immigration data.

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What they’re saying

“From July 2024 through June 2025, the Midwest also saw positive net domestic migration for the first time this decade.”

— Marc Perry, Senior demographer, Census Bureau

“Net immigration to the US was lower than in past years”

— Christine Hartley, Census Bureau official

“Net international migration last year was higher than where it stood in the 2010s and doesn't reflect all the immigration changes the Trump administration made since President Donald Trump took office again, since the estimate stops at the summer.”

— Jed Kolko, Senior fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics

What’s next

The Census Bureau will likely release more detailed population data and analysis in the coming months, providing further insights into the demographic shifts across the United States.

The takeaway

The latest Census data highlights the uneven population growth across the country, with some states like South Carolina seeing significant gains while others like Vermont experience declines. These changes can have wide-ranging implications for state and local economies, politics, and public policy.