Fastest-Growing U.S. States in 2024–2025: All 50 States Ranke
Population growth leaders: South Carolina by rate, Texas by numbers
South Carolina leads all 50 U.S. states with +1.46% population growth between July 1, 2024 and July 1, 2025, followed by Idaho (+1.44%) and North Carolina (+1.32%). Texas ranks fourth by percentage (+1.25%) but first by the number of residents added (+391,243). Rankings use U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program Vintage 2025 figures released on January 27, 2026.
Metric: annual percentage change in estimated resident population. Unit: percent (%); higher values rank higher. Geographic coverage: 50 states, excluding the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Data status: 50 calculated_value, 0 official_value for the unrounded percentages, 0 official_forecast, 0 modeled_projection. Retrieval date: October 15, 2026.
Each percentage is calculated from the Census Bureau's 2024 and 2025 population estimates within the same Vintage 2025 series, not an official forecast or projection. The population inputs themselves are official Census estimates; the precise rates and rank order are calculated from those inputs.
South Carolina, rank #1; +79,958 residents.
Vermont, rank #50; -1,858 residents.
45 grew; 5 declined. DC and Puerto Rico excluded.
Unweighted median of 50 calculated one-year rates.
July-to-July; Census PEP V2025; 50 calculated values.
Overview: percentage growth versus residents added
The fastest-growing state depends on the measurement. South Carolina's estimated population rose from 5,490,316 to 5,570,274, an increase of 79,958 people or 1.46% (rounded). Idaho increased from 2,000,872 to 2,029,733, or 1.44%. North Carolina added 145,907 residents and grew by 1.32%.
Texas added 391,243 residents to reach 31,709,821, nearly 4.89 times South Carolina's numeric gain, although Texas's relative growth rate was lower at 1.25%. A percentage ranking therefore answers a different question from a ranking by total residents added.
Across the 50 states, 45 showed a positive one-year change and five showed a decline. The median unweighted state rate was +0.45%; this is not the U.S. national population growth rate, which weights states by their population size and includes the District of Columbia in the national total.
Top 10 fastest-growing U.S. states, 2024-2025
Ranks use the unrounded rates calculated from Census 2024 and 2025 estimates; the display rounds to two decimal places. This matters near the cutoff: Tennessee (#10) and Georgia (#11) both display +0.88%, but Tennessee's unrounded rate is slightly higher.
Top 10 states by exact one-year percentage growth (display: two decimals)
| Rank | State | Growth | Region / method note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Carolina | +1.46%+79,958 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 5,490,316; July 2025: 5,570,274; change: +79,958 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 2 | Idaho | +1.44%+28,861 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 2,000,872; July 2025: 2,029,733; change: +28,861 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 3 | North Carolina | +1.32%+145,907 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 11,052,061; July 2025: 11,197,968; change: +145,907 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 4 | Texas | +1.25%+391,243 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 31,318,578; July 2025: 31,709,821; change: +391,243 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 5 | Utah | +1.03%+35,921 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 3,502,983; July 2025: 3,538,904; change: +35,921 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 6 | Delaware | +0.94%+9,829 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 1,050,123; July 2025: 1,059,952; change: +9,829 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 7 | Washington | +0.92%+73,062 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 7,927,958; July 2025: 8,001,020; change: +73,062 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 8 | Arizona | +0.89%+67,394 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 7,556,424; July 2025: 7,623,818; change: +67,394 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 9 | Nevada | +0.88%+28,645 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 3,253,543; July 2025: 3,282,188; change: +28,645 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 10 | Tennessee | +0.88%+63,785 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 7,251,291; July 2025: 7,315,076; change: +63,785 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
The fourth column shows source year, both official population inputs, annual change and calculation method for every state.
Chart: Top 20 states by one-year population growth
Bars represent the same calculated rates as the ranking, rescaled to the leader's unrounded +1.456346% rate. Labels show rounded percentages; no bar represents resident counts or a forecast.
Methodology and data provenance
Population metric and dates
Resident population estimates as of July 1, 2024 and July 1, 2025. Only the U.S. Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 time series is used for both years. Target year: 2025; base year: 2024; publication snapshot: 2026.
Exact formula
Percentage growth = ((POPESTIMATE2025 - POPESTIMATE2024) / POPESTIMATE2024) x 100. Both inputs are observed-period, official Census estimates of residents, not projected 2026 values. Example: South Carolina = (5,570,274 - 5,490,316) / 5,490,316 x 100 = +1.456346%, displayed +1.46%.
Ranking and rounding
Rank descending by the unrounded calculated percentage. Values are displayed to two decimal places, with the leading plus or minus sign. Equal displayed percentages need not mean a raw tie; exact raw ties, if any, would be resolved alphabetically without changing the underlying values. Numeric population changes are integers.
Universe and regions
Every one of the 50 states has a positive 2024 population denominator and is included. District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are excluded, not silently ranked as states. Region filters follow the Census Bureau's Northeast (9), Midwest (12), South (16), and West (13) classifications.
Source roles and hierarchy
numeric_source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 annual state estimates. methodology_source: Census PEP dataset documentation and Census region definitions. validation_source: Census 2026 news release and QuickFacts 2025 totals. context_source: Census 2026 release on the changes in migration and national growth. These Census pages are one publishing organization, not multiple independent numeric sources.
Statuses and reproducibility
All 50 annual growth rates are calculated_value derived from population observations. Official Census population totals are the observed inputs; derived two-decimal growth rates are not official forecasts. Every state row identifies source, target/base years, integer 2024 and 2025 inputs, total change, formula and region. All results use integer inputs before rounding.
Missing, stale and conflicting data
The 50-state dataset contains no blanks or stale-year substitutions. Both dates come from the same Census Vintage 2025 series; data from prior vintages are not interchangeable because the Census revises prior-year estimates. When sources conflict, the Census Vintage 2025 original-file observation takes priority; conflicting figures are not averaged.
What the metric excludes
The ranking measures total estimated resident-population change, not net domestic migration, international migration, births, deaths, economic output, home prices, housing starts or job creation separately. It does not predict future population or measure the 2020-2025 five-year growth rate.
Primary original-data release: U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025 (January 27, 2026). All 50 July 2024 and July 2025 population input pairs were verified against the Census Bureau NST-EST2025-CHG full state table, made publicly available as an unchanged Census table by the State of Hawaii. The original NST-EST2025-ALLDATA CSV is linked for independent reproduction; the state-hosted table is a mirror of the same Census release, not a second independent numeric publisher. Sources checked on October 15, 2026.
Reproduction: in NST-EST2025-ALLDATA, keep SUMLEV 040 and the 50 state codes (exclude District of Columbia, STATE 11), take POPESTIMATE2024 and POPESTIMATE2025, then calculate (2025 - 2024) / 2024 × 100 and sort by the unrounded result. The 50-state net-population-change total and South share exclude DC and Puerto Rico; neither should be described as a share of total U.S. population.
Full ranking: all 50 states by 2024-2025 population growth
Search by state, filter by Census region or value status, then sort by percentage growth, state name or residents added. The Show control keeps the first 10, first 20 or all matching rows in the selected sort order. Each state retains its original national rank by percentage growth.
All 50 states displayed; sorted by annual percentage growth.
No states match these filters. Clear the search or select another region.
All 50 U.S. states ranked by annual population growth (%), July 2024 to July 2025
| Rank | State | Growth | Region / method note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Carolina | +1.46%+79,958 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 5,490,316; July 2025: 5,570,274; change: +79,958 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 2 | Idaho | +1.44%+28,861 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 2,000,872; July 2025: 2,029,733; change: +28,861 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 3 | North Carolina | +1.32%+145,907 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 11,052,061; July 2025: 11,197,968; change: +145,907 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 4 | Texas | +1.25%+391,243 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 31,318,578; July 2025: 31,709,821; change: +391,243 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 5 | Utah | +1.03%+35,921 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 3,502,983; July 2025: 3,538,904; change: +35,921 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 6 | Delaware | +0.94%+9,829 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 1,050,123; July 2025: 1,059,952; change: +9,829 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 7 | Washington | +0.92%+73,062 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 7,927,958; July 2025: 8,001,020; change: +73,062 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 8 | Arizona | +0.89%+67,394 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 7,556,424; July 2025: 7,623,818; change: +67,394 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 9 | Nevada | +0.88%+28,645 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 3,253,543; July 2025: 3,282,188; change: +28,645 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 10 | Tennessee | +0.88%+63,785 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 7,251,291; July 2025: 7,315,076; change: +63,785 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 11 | Georgia | +0.88%+98,540 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 11,204,208; July 2025: 11,302,748; change: +98,540 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 12 | South Dakota | +0.86%+7,984 residents | Midwest; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 927,110; July 2025: 935,094; change: +7,984 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 13 | Florida | +0.85%+196,680 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 23,265,838; July 2025: 23,462,518; change: +196,680 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 14 | North Dakota | +0.75%+5,971 residents | Midwest; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 793,387; July 2025: 799,358; change: +5,971 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 15 | Virginia | +0.69%+60,465 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 8,819,642; July 2025: 8,880,107; change: +60,465 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 16 | Montana | +0.63%+7,137 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 1,137,557; July 2025: 1,144,694; change: +7,137 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 17 | Oklahoma | +0.62%+25,530 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 4,097,758; July 2025: 4,123,288; change: +25,530 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 18 | Nebraska | +0.62%+12,415 residents | Midwest; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 2,005,591; July 2025: 2,018,006; change: +12,415 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 19 | Arkansas | +0.60%+18,711 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 3,096,080; July 2025: 3,114,791; change: +18,711 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 20 | Alabama | +0.58%+30,033 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 5,163,055; July 2025: 5,193,088; change: +30,033 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 21 | Minnesota | +0.57%+33,000 residents | Midwest; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 5,797,405; July 2025: 5,830,405; change: +33,000 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 22 | Indiana | +0.56%+38,579 residents | Midwest; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 6,934,754; July 2025: 6,973,333; change: +38,579 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 23 | Kentucky | +0.50%+22,818 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 4,584,046; July 2025: 4,606,864; change: +22,818 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 24 | New Hampshire | +0.48%+6,824 residents | Northeast; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 1,408,518; July 2025: 1,415,342; change: +6,824 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 25 | Maine | +0.46%+6,436 residents | Northeast; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 1,408,438; July 2025: 1,414,874; change: +6,436 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 26 | New Jersey | +0.44%+41,861 residents | Northeast; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 9,506,354; July 2025: 9,548,215; change: +41,861 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 27 | Missouri | +0.43%+26,997 residents | Midwest; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 6,243,544; July 2025: 6,270,541; change: +26,997 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 28 | Kansas | +0.40%+11,968 residents | Midwest; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 2,965,252; July 2025: 2,977,220; change: +11,968 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 29 | Colorado | +0.40%+24,059 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 5,988,502; July 2025: 6,012,561; change: +24,059 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 30 | Connecticut | +0.38%+14,047 residents | Northeast; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 3,674,449; July 2025: 3,688,496; change: +14,047 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 31 | Rhode Island | +0.37%+4,106 residents | Northeast; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 1,110,415; July 2025: 1,114,521; change: +4,106 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 32 | Wyoming | +0.35%+2,031 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 586,722; July 2025: 588,753; change: +2,031 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 33 | Ohio | +0.34%+39,889 residents | Midwest; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 11,860,621; July 2025: 11,900,510; change: +39,889 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 34 | Maryland | +0.32%+20,033 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 6,245,314; July 2025: 6,265,347; change: +20,033 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 35 | Michigan | +0.28%+27,922 residents | Midwest; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 10,099,962; July 2025: 10,127,884; change: +27,922 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 36 | Wisconsin | +0.26%+15,619 residents | Midwest; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 5,957,168; July 2025: 5,972,787; change: +15,619 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 37 | Iowa | +0.25%+7,933 residents | Midwest; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 3,230,454; July 2025: 3,238,387; change: +7,933 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 38 | Massachusetts | +0.22%+15,524 residents | Northeast; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 7,138,560; July 2025: 7,154,084; change: +15,524 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 39 | Oregon | +0.19%+8,262 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 4,265,324; July 2025: 4,273,586; change: +8,262 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 40 | Mississippi | +0.14%+3,988 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 2,950,172; July 2025: 2,954,160; change: +3,988 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 41 | Illinois | +0.13%+16,108 residents | Midwest; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 12,703,033; July 2025: 12,719,141; change: +16,108 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 42 | Pennsylvania | +0.10%+13,584 residents | Northeast; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 13,045,848; July 2025: 13,059,432; change: +13,584 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 43 | Alaska | +0.10%+733 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 736,537; July 2025: 737,270; change: +733 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 44 | Louisiana | +0.07%+3,311 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 4,614,878; July 2025: 4,618,189; change: +3,311 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 45 | New York | +0.01%+1,008 residents | Northeast; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 20,001,419; July 2025: 20,002,427; change: +1,008 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 46 | California | -0.02%-9,465 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 39,364,774; July 2025: 39,355,309; change: -9,465 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 47 | New Mexico | -0.06%-1,276 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 2,126,774; July 2025: 2,125,498; change: -1,276 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 48 | West Virginia | -0.07%-1,255 residents | South; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 1,767,402; July 2025: 1,766,147; change: -1,255 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 49 | Hawaii | -0.15%-2,132 residents | West; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 1,434,952; July 2025: 1,432,820; change: -2,132 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
| 50 | Vermont | -0.29%-1,858 residents | Northeast; calculated_value; U.S. Census Bureau PEP Vintage 2025, NST-EST2025-CHG; July 2024: 646,521; July 2025: 644,663; change: -1,858 residents; (2025-2024)/2024 x 100; original Census values, no forecast. |
All 50 entries are visible without JavaScript. Filtering and sorting rearrange or hide existing HTML table rows only; they do not change underlying values or publish a new ranking.
Four findings from the 50-state dataset
Key Insight
South Carolina (#1, +1.456346%) is only 0.0139 percentage points ahead of Idaho (#2, +1.442421%). The rounded gap is 0.01 pp, so the lead is real but narrow. North Carolina is third at +1.320179%.
Notable Pattern
45 of 50 states (90%) grew, and five (10%) shrank. The unweighted median was +0.45% and the unweighted mean was +0.50%, calculated from all 50 unrounded annual percentage changes.
Regional/Source Concentration
All Top 10 states fall in just two Census regions: five South and five West. The South's 16 states together gained 1,169,576 residents, or 65.8% of the 50-state net increase of 1,778,725 (not a share of all U.S. population).
Outlier
Texas ranks only #4 by percentage (+1.25%) yet added 391,243 residents, the largest absolute gain, versus South Carolina's 79,958. Texas added 4.89 times as many people despite its lower percentage growth.
What the growth ranking means
To compare growth speed, use the percentage rank and its July 2024 denominator; to compare the scale of change, use the residents-added figure and the two Census population inputs in each row. A net increase in residents is not the same as an increase in households, jobs or housing units. Percentage and absolute-change rankings can differ because each state begins with a different population size. Neither metric directly measures housing capacity or fiscal impacts.
The Census Bureau reported 66,622 net domestic migrants to South Carolina in 2024–2025 and noted that its rounded growth rate slowed from 1.8% in 2023–2024 to 1.5% in 2024–2025. Those values are source-published components and rounded historical context, not additional rates constructed from this table. Population change also reflects births, deaths and international migration, which are not separately ranked here.
The one-year interval should not be treated as a long-term trend or 2026 projection. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates are the best internally consistent published series for this comparison as of the retrieval date, but future vintages can revise both 2024 and 2025 numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Which U.S. state grew fastest from July 2024 to July 2025?
South Carolina ranks first with +1.46%, calculated from 5,490,316 residents in July 2024 and 5,570,274 in July 2025, an increase of 79,958 in the Census Vintage 2025 series.
Which state added the most residents?
Texas added 391,243 residents, moving from 31,318,578 to 31,709,821. Its growth rate was +1.25% and its percentage-growth rank was #4; absolute additions and percentage change are different metrics.
Are these official Census population figures or forecasts?
The July 2024 and July 2025 population numbers are official Census Bureau estimates. The unrounded growth percentages are calculated from them and classified calculated_value. No future-year forecast or modeled projection is used.
Why is this described as a 2026 snapshot?
The Census Bureau published the Vintage 2025 state estimates on January 27, 2026. The observations compare July 1, 2024 with July 1, 2025, not two 2026 dates. The page was compiled on October 15, 2026.
How exactly are the rates and ranks computed?
Subtract the July 2024 estimate from the July 2025 estimate, divide by the July 2024 estimate, then multiply by 100. Rank the unrounded results from highest to lowest; round only the displayed value to two decimals. That is why Tennessee (#10) and Georgia (#11) both show +0.88% but have different ranks.
Which U.S. states lost population from 2024 to 2025?
Five states have a negative annual change: California (-9,465), New Mexico (-1,276), West Virginia (-1,255), Hawaii (-2,132) and Vermont (-1,858). Vermont has the largest percentage decline, -0.29%, whereas California has the largest absolute loss of these five.
Is Washington, D.C. counted as a state in the ranking?
No. The table covers exactly 50 states. The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are not included in the state ranks, 50-state distribution statistics or 50-state net-growth denominator.
Does a high growth rate prove that people are moving into that state?
No. Total resident population change includes natural change (births minus deaths) and migration. The ranking does not separately estimate migration, establish economic causes or show whether growth will persist. Census migration components must be consulted for that question.
Why does the First 10 view change when I sort by residents added?
First 10 shows the first ten states in the current sort and filter, but the Rank column always shows the original national rank by the exact 2024–2025 growth rate. Choose Ranking and First 10 to restore the ten fastest-growing states by percentage.
Sources and verification
U.S. Census Bureau | NST-EST2025-CHG (official table, Hawaii mirror)
Role: numeric_source and validation_source. Complete original Census Bureau table with population estimates for July 2024 and July 2025 and reported annual changes for all 50 states. Hosted by the Hawaii State Data Center; same Census publisher and Census Vintage 2025 as the original CSV, not an independent dataset. This is the complete table used for row-by-row numeric verification.
https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/census/archive/popestimate/NST-EST2025-CHG.pdf
U.S. Census Bureau | PEP Vintage 2025 state dataset
Role: numeric_source. Official underlying July 2024 and July 2025 state population counts; primary authority for every state, rank and calculation. CSV: NST-EST2025-ALLDATA.
U.S. Census Bureau | State population totals, 2020-2025
Role: methodology_source. Census data-release scope, Vintage 2025 selection and revision policy. Same publishing organization as the primary dataset.
https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-state-total.html
U.S. Census Bureau | January 2026 population news release
Role: validation_source and context_source. Cross-checks the Census-published Top 10 by percentage and numeric change; supports the South Carolina domestic-migration note. Not an independent numeric publisher.
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/population-growth-slows.html
U.S. Census Bureau | Census regions and divisions
Role: methodology_source. Defines the Northeast, Midwest, South and West geographic groups used for the region filter and regional calculations.
https://www.census.gov/data/data-tools/survey-explorer/geo.html
U.S. Census Bureau | QuickFacts state population chart
Role: validation_source. Cross-check for the July 2025 population totals across states; it does not independently supply the derived annual growth rates.
U.S. Census Bureau | 2024–2025 state growth map
Role: validation_source. Official map independently confirms regional distribution and the growth/decline bands for the fifty states; it does not provide unrounded input counts or substitute for the CSV.
