U.S. Population: Size, Growth and Demographic Trends in 2025

By Joaquimma Anna | Published: | Population Size & Growth | 1 min read

Short Answer

The U.S. population grew by 1.8 million people, or 0.5%, between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 estimates. This marks the slowest annual growth since the pandemic-era low of 0.2% in 2021. The slowdown was driven by a historic decline in net international migration, which fell from 2.7 million to 1.3 million.

Source & Data Date

The primary source for this article is the U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 national population estimates, released on January 27, 2026. The estimates cover the period from April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2025. Additional context was drawn from the Census Bureau’s National Population by Characteristics: 2020–2025 page and the Congressional Budget Office’s The Demographic Outlook: 2024 to 2054. All data cited are from these official sources.

FAQ

What was the U.S. population growth rate in 2025?

The U.S. population grew by 0.5% between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, according to the Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 estimates. This was the slowest annual growth rate since 2021, when the population grew by 0.2%.

Why did U.S. population growth slow in 2025?

The slowdown was primarily caused by a historic decline in net international migration, which fell from 2.7 million in the 2023-2024 period to 1.3 million in the 2024-2025 period. Births and deaths remained relatively stable, so the migration drop accounted for nearly all of the slowdown.

How does the Census Bureau estimate the U.S. population?

The Census Bureau uses a cohort-component method. It starts with the April 1, 2020, decennial census count, then adds annual births, subtracts annual deaths, and adds net international migration. The estimates are updated each year and released as a new vintage.

What is net international migration?

Net international migration is the difference between the number of people moving into the United States from other countries and the number moving out. It includes lawful permanent residents, temporary migrants, unauthorized migrants, and U.S. citizens moving abroad.

Where can I find state-level population estimates?

State-level population estimates are available in the Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 tables, specifically the NST-EST2025-POP file, which includes annual estimates for the United States, regions, states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico from April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2025.

References

  1. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-national-total.html
  2. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/population-growth-slows.html
  3. https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-national-detail.html
  4. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/59899

Related Terms

Net international migration
The difference between the number of people entering the United States from other countries and the number leaving to live abroad.
Natural increase
The difference between the number of births and the number of deaths in a population over a given period.
Vintage estimates
A consistent set of population estimates produced by the Census Bureau using a specific methodology and data inputs for a given release year.
Resident population
The total number of people who usually live in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, excluding U.S. territories unless separately noted.
Population growth rate
The percentage change in the total population over a specified period, typically one year.

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