In the period between 2022 and 2023, the population of the United States increased by approximately 1.58 million people, representing a growth rate of about 0.5%. However, not all states experienced the same rate of population growth. Some states actually saw a decrease in their population numbers due to a combination of factors such as net population loss (where deaths outnumber births) and net migration (where emigrants outnumber immigrants).
Visual Capitalist’s Palla vi Rao has visualized the U.S. states that experienced population declines between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023, along with the corresponding percentage changes. The data for this visualization is sourced from the Census Bureau estimates released in May 2024.
A notable demographic shift is occurring across the United States, with states in the Northeast and the West witnessing a decline in their populations. The changes in population for all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico are ranked from declines to gains in ascending order in the table below.
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New York experienced a population decrease of around 102,000 people in 2023 compared to 2022, with a significant portion of this decline happening in New York City. On the other hand, California’s population also shrank by 75,000 people during the same period.
While Northeastern and Western states saw declines, Southern states like Texas, Florida, and North Carolina recorded population gains. Texas, in particular, added nearly half a million people, representing a 1.5% increase, which is three times higher than the national average.
These population patterns suggest a trend of interstate migration, with many Californians choosing to move to Texas for a variety of reasons such as job opportunities, good schools, and a lower crime rate. Texas has emerged as a desirable destination for individuals seeking a high quality of life at a more affordable cost compared to places like New York City and California.
The information and data presented in this article highlight the dynamic changes in population distribution across different states in the U.S., reflecting the diverse socio-economic factors influencing people’s decisions to relocate.