Immigration Decline Slows Population Growth Across US Metro Areas

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The population growth rate among metropolitan areas across the United States has stalled due to a steep decline in net international migration, according to new census data. Nationally, net international migration was about half of what it was as of July 1, 2025, compared to July 1, 2024. The trend was also true among metropolitan areas, which have a higher rate of immigration than areas with smaller populations.

Why it matters

Immigration is a key driver of population growth in many major U.S. cities, so the sharp decline in net international migration could have significant economic and demographic impacts on these metro areas in the coming years. This data provides insight into how shifting migration patterns are affecting population changes across the country.

The details

The 2025 Vintage estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau show that all of the 100 most populous metropolitan areas experienced a drop of between 26% and 95% in net international migration from 2024 to 2025. El Paso, Texas, one of the country's largest ports of entry on the southern border, saw the largest decline with a nearly 95% drop in its net international migration rate. Other major metro areas in Texas and California also saw some of the largest declines.

• From 2023 to 2024, the rate of net international migration was about 8.9 per 1,000 people moving into metro areas.
• From 2024 to 2025, the net international migration rate was cut in half to 4.1 per 1,000 people.