U.S. Population Grows at Fastest Pace in More Than Two Decades

New 2024 Population Estimates Show Nation’s Population Grew by About 1% to 340.1 Million Since 2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
December 19, 2024
Written by: Kristie Wilder

Following historically low growth at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. population grew substantially by almost 1% since 2023, outpacing average annual growth since 2000 and signaling a significant turnaround from the meager population gains at the start of this decade.

On Thursday, the U.S. Census Bureau released July 1, 2024, population estimates for the nation and states. The U.S. population reached 340.1 million, up 0.98% from 336.8 million on July 1, 2023 — the highest year-over-year increase since a jump of 0.99% between 2000 and 2001.

The U.S. Census Bureau today released July 1, 2024, population estimates for the nation and states. The U.S. population reached 340.1 million, up 0.98% from 336.8 million on July 1, 2023 — the highest year-over-year increase since a jump of 0.99% between 2000 and 2001.

Population Trends Since 2000

Since 2000, the nation has grown by almost 58 million, with an average annual growth rate of approximately 0.8%. The most robust growth occurred between 2001 and 2008, fueled by changing migration trends and higher birth rates.

However, population trends have fluctuated over the past two decades, reflecting how major world and national events can influence population growth.

For instance, national security concerns immediately following 9/11 resulted in fewer migrants, slightly tempering population growth between 2001 and 2003.

Similarly, the financial crisis which started in 2008, dubbed “The Great Recession,” impacted both fertility and immigration in the United States. Between 2008 and 2009, births dipped by nearly 3% and net international migration fell almost 12%.

By the early 2010s, the pace of U.S. growth had begun to slow down. After a slight uptick in 2014-2015, population growth slowed again and 2016 ushered a new period of sluggish growthbrought on by declining net international migration and falling birth rates (Figure 1).

That marked the start of a prolonged period of below-average growth.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Recovery

At the start of the 2020s, the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the nation’s population growth further.

A national emergency declaration resulted in travel restrictions, temporarily limiting entry. Also during this time, the number of deaths surged and births declined. This combination resulted in the United States experiencing the slowest period of growth on record in 2021 — as the population increased by just 0.16% — underscoring the pandemic’s effect on the population.

When the nation recovered from the pandemic, its population growth did as well, more than doubling from 2021 to 2022.

As travel restrictions started to ease and migration increased, the pace of growth quickened. A slight rise in births and decrease in the number of deaths supported the turnaround.

By 2024, after three consecutive years of population growth exceeding 0.5%, the United States seems to have recovered from pandemic-era lows.

What Influences Population Change?

Natural increase (births minus deaths) and net international migration (immigration minus emigration) are the major influences on population growth, but their relative contributions to growth have changed over time (Figure 2).

Natural increase has historically been the cornerstone of U.S. population growth. Yet, in recent years, its contribution has dwindled due to fewer births and more deaths. The aging of the population is fueled by the large number of Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964 entering high mortality ages.

There was a brief uptick in births from 2021 to 2022, but rates returned to their downward trend in 2023.

In contrast, net international migration’s influence on population trends has increased over the last few years. Since 2021, it accounted for the majority of the nation’s growth — departure from the last two decades, when natural increase was the main factor.

More U.S. and state population and demographic components of change are available in the most recent population estimates release.

Kristie Wilder is a demographer in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Branch.

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