South Carolina, Idaho, North Carolina and Texas have seen some of the biggest population increases.
South Carolina, Idaho, North Carolina and Texas are among the states that saw the biggest jumps in population between 2024 and 2025. This is based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s population growth figures released on Tuesday.
Why It Matters Tracking state population growth has real implications for congressional representation, federal funding and long-term economic planning. States that add residents could see increased political power after the 2030 Census, while those that shrink may lose seats in Congress and Electoral College votes. The shift also reflects broader economic and social dynamics. Lower taxes, warmer climates and a business-friendly environment have helped Southern states, particularly Texas and Florida, draw in both individuals and corporations. What To Know South Carolina’s population increased by the highest percentage from 5,490,316 people in July 2024 to 5,570,274 in July 2025. Idaho had the second-highest percentage jump , followed by North Carolina , Texas , Utah and Delaware, Washington, Arizona, Nevada and Tennessee . Texas is predicted to have the third-highest growth rate of any American state this decade, with its population reaching an estimated 32,463,602 in 2030 , according to the latest projection from the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. Meanwhile, Utah is forecast to increase its population by 13.1 percent and Idaho by 12.4 percent. Between 2000 and 2050, the center predicts southern states will go from 34.4 percent of the U.S. population to 39.8 percent, while northeastern states decline from 19 percent to 15.8 percent over the same period. While the majority of states grew to some extent in the year 2024-2025, five states actually saw population declines. Newsweek covered this here. What People Are Saying Dafydd Townley, an American politics expert at the University of Portsmouth, previously told Newsweek: “It's likely that the vast majority of internal migrants to Texas are Republicans seeking a state that represents them politically. “There was some discussion last year that such movement might be Democrats trying to flip the state, but the election results suggest that this was wide of the mark. One of the biggest drivers of this internal migration has been a booming Texan economy, especially in the southern part of the state.“ Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, previously told Newsweek: “Inflation is the common denominator. As household budgets tighten, quality of life becomes the deciding factor. Many people migrate toward states like Texas and Florida for perceived affordability and lower taxes, but those savings need to be fully analyzed. Property taxes, insurance, and local costs can quickly erode the headline benefits.” What Happens Next These trends are expected to continue into the next decade. States that are growing may soon find themselves needing to expand infrastructure, education systems and housing to keep up with demand. Meanwhile, states losing population may need to reassess tax structures and economic policies to stem the outflow.
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