Washington DC leads US fastest-growing populations list

Last year, the United States experienced its highest population growth rate since 2001, primarily due to a significant influx of immigrants. However, this increase was not evenly distributed across all states.

Economists from the National Association of Realtors analyzed U.S. Census Bureau data to explore these demographic trends in detail. Their findings included a list of the 15 states with the fastest-growing populations, which featured three unexpected entries.

Washington, DC, although technically a district and not a state, led this list with a population growth of 2.2% from 2023 to 2024. Florida and Texas also saw notable increases in their populations at rates of 2% and 1.8%, respectively. These two states have been attracting movers from across the country since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to census data, Texas had a population of 31.3 million people in 2024, making it the second-largest state by population in the U.S., following California's 39.4 million residents. A report by Realtor.com economists projects that Texas will become the most populous state by 2045.

Florida ranked third on this list with a population of 23.4 million residents.

Several smaller coastal states also experienced significant population gains last year. New Jersey and Washington state added residents at a rate of 1.3% in 2024, while Massachusetts rounded out the top 15 list with an increase of 1%. New Jersey's total population reached 9.5 million, ranking it as having the overall eleventh-largest population in the nation.

Utah emerged as the fourth fastest-growing state with its population rising by 1.8%, largely driven by domestic migration within the country. Utah gained nearly seven times more transplants in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Idaho saw its population grow at a rate of 1.6%, placing it seventh on the list but leading with a notable increase in birth rates (2.2%).

North Carolina, Delaware, and Arizona each recorded population increases of 1.5% last year while Tennessee and Georgia grew by about 1.1%.

International migration played a crucial role nationwide, contributing to almost all states' population gains and accounting for approximately 84% or about 2.8 million people out of an overall growth figure totaling around three-point-three-million during this period.

Florida topped net migration figures—considering both domestic moves along international arrivals—with over four hundred seventy-five thousand newcomers; closely followed by Texas which welcomed four hundred four thousand eight hundred thirty-six new arrivals; North Carolina trailed behind completing leading trio regarding net migrations witnessed throughout past calendar cycle."