U.S. Population Growth Slows, Census Shows
Orlando, Fla. – New numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show the nation’s population reaching nearly 342 million in 2025. The growth rate has slowed to 0.5%, a drop from the almost 1% growth seen in 2024.
The Census Bureau reports that immigration played a significant role in this change. Immigration numbers are down compared to the previous year. Last year saw an increase of almost 1.3 million immigrants, while 2024 had almost 2.8 million.
A smaller increase in population was seen in 2021, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Births were slightly higher than deaths, but overall natural increase was smaller than in the early 2000s.
Several states that usually see many immigrants, like California, Florida, and New York, saw a smaller increase in population. South Carolina, Idaho, and North Carolina grew the most. The Southern states grew more than other regions, but the numbers were still lower than the year before.
These population estimates come at a time when the Census Bureau has been facing challenges, including staff reductions.
Experts say they believe the Census Bureau’s work has been done without political meddling.
