U.S. Population Growth Halves as Immigration Declines
Census estimates show national growth fell from 1% to 0.5% as net international migration dropped and hurricanes displaced Florida residents.
World News GroupLower immigration reducing U.S. population growth, Census Bureau says
The FederalistIllegal Immigration Is Way Down, So The Media Are Freaking Out
ABC NewsGrowth rate slowed in US metro areas in 2025, with steepest drops along the southern border
ChronGrowth rate slows in US metro areas along southern border, Gulf Coast
ABC NewsGrowth rate slowed in US metro areas in 2025, steepest drops along southern border
Overview
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that national population growth fell from 1% for the 12 months ending July 2024 to 0.5% for the 12 months ending July 2025.
The bureau attributed the slowdown primarily to a sharp decline in net international migration, noting nine out of 10 U.S. counties had lower levels of international migration in the year ending July 1, 2025.
Demographers said migration now determines whether areas grow or decline because of low natural increase, and analysts linked the estimates to the initial months of President Donald Trump’s second term and the beginning of his administration’s immigration crackdown.
Most of the roughly 3,100 U.S. counties saw slower growth, with roughly 2,000 counties that had grown the prior year experiencing slower growth or declines, and about 80% of nearly 400 metropolitan counties showing slower gains.
Analysts warned that with declining birth rates and an aging population, ongoing migration patterns will determine future growth, a shift underscored by Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth topping growth lists while New York fell to No. 13.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this coverage neutrally: they rely on Census Bureau data and demographers (Kenneth Johnson, Helen You), cite concrete figures (Laredo from 3.2% to 0.2%, Pinellas County losing about 12,000 residents), and frame Trump's second term as temporal context rather than editorial judgment.
FAQ
The growth rate fell from 1.0% for the 12 months ending July 2024 to 0.5% for the 12 months ending July 2025.
The slowdown was primarily due to a sharp decline in net international migration, which dropped from 2.8 million in 2024 to 1.3 million in 2025.
Metro areas grew at 0.6%, micro areas at 0.2%, and areas outside metro/micro at 0.1%; most counties saw slower growth, with Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth leading while New York fell to No. 13.[1]
The U.S. population reached 341,784,857 on July 1, 2025, up from 340,003,797 on July 1, 2024.[1]
With low natural increase due to declining birth rates and an aging population, migration determines whether areas grow or decline.[story]
