U.S. population growth slowed in 2025

Summary
U.S. population growth softened in 2025, dipping to 0.5% from 1.0% in 2024.
- A slowdown in immigration was the primary driver. Net new immigrant inflows declined by 54% to 1.3 million. That said, the pace of foreign-born migration last year still exceeded the 868K annual average from 2011 to 2019.
- Select States in the South and Mountain West continue to outperform. South Carolina led the nation with 1.5% population growth in 2025. Other top states included Idaho, North Carolina, Texas and Utah, each of which also ranked within the top five in 2024.
- Despite the widespread slowdown, population growth remained broadly positive across states. Only five states registered outright population declines in 2025, including Vermont, Hawaii, West Virginia, New Mexico and California.
- Net immigration softened everywhere. Every state accepted fewer foreign-born residents in 2025 than in 2024. That said, large states including California, New York, Texas and Florida registered the most substantial pullbacks.
- Domestic migration was largely unchanged outside of Florida and Texas. Higher costs continued to discourage interstate movement into Texas and Florida, each of which saw net domestic migration dip below its pre-pandemic trend.
- Demographics remain unfavorable. Population growth from natural causes was little changed, spurring an increase of 519K U.S. residents in 2025 vs. 514K in 2024. Most of this growth occurred in larger states like Texas, California and New York. States with disproportionately older populations like Pennsylvania and West Virginia registered declines.
Author

Wells Fargo Research Team
Wells Fargo

















