Census data revealed that Texas had the largest population gain in the nation from July 2023 to July 2024, spurred by net international migration, defined by the bureau as “any change of residence across U.S. borders.”
Texas’ population jumped by 562,941. Florida had the second-highest numeric growth at 467,347, with California third at 232,570. Texas remains the second-most populous state with 31,290,831 residents. California (39,431,263) was first and Florida (23,372,215) third.
Every state saw an increase in international migration, according to the data, which was released Dec. 19. Texas (319,569) saw the third-largest increase behind Florida (411,322) and California (361,057). Texas (85,267), North Carolina (82,288) and South Carolina (68,043) saw the largest gains from domestic migration, with California (-239,575), New York (-120,917) and Illinois (-56,235) experiencing the largest net domestic migration losses.
The District of Columbia and Florida were first and second, respectively, in growth by percentage, with D.C. at 2.2% and Florida at 2%. Texas was next at 1.8%.
Only three states saw their populations decline between 2023 and 2024: Vermont (-215), Mississippi (-127) and West Virginia (-516). The losses in Mississippi and Vermont resulted from negative net domestic migration and natural decrease (more deaths than births), the data showed, and the loss in West Virginia was from natural decrease.
Births outnumbered deaths in 33 states and D.C., with natural increase highest in Texas (158,753), California (110,466) and New York (43,701).
A population analysis by Smart Asset showed New Braunfels and three other Central Texas cities had among the highest population growth rates in the entire U.S. over the past year, the Austin American-Statesmen reported Monday. New Braunfels, Georgetown, Atascocita and Conroe were listed among the top 10 cities with the highest population increases, according to the analysis.
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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