U.S. Births Account for Just 16% as Immigration “Drives Highest U.S. Population Growth in Decades”

U.S.-born citizens accounted for just 16% of the overall population growth in 2024, according to data from the Census Bureau. Between 2023 and 2024, the U.S. population grew by 1.0% to reach 340.1 million, the highest growth rate since 2000.

However, international migration accounted for 2.8 million of the 3.3 million net increase in population, or 84%. Between 2022 and 2023, it accounted for 1.7 million of the 2.3 million increase, or 73.9%.

“An annual growth rate of 1.0% is higher than what we’ve seen over recent years but well within historical norms,” said Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Census Bureau’s Population Division. “What stands out is the diminishing role of natural increase over the last five years, as net international migration has become the primary driver of the nation’s growth.”

The country recorded the lowest population growth (0.16%) rate during the pandemic when international travel was banned, and thus less migrations. Ironically, the number of births also increased during the same period, but as deaths surged, the net natural increase was just 146,000.

“There was a brief uptick in births from 2021 to 2022, but rates returned to their downward trend in 2023,” the Census Bureau reported.

Similarly, the 2008 “The Great Recession” resulted in a 3% population decline, as net immigration fell by 12%. These two events paint an accurate picture of U.S.-born population trends.

Meanwhile, the international migration-fueled population growth is changing the US demographics and could have potential political implications.

According to the report, the “voting-age resident population” of 18 years and above increased by 78.5% to reach 267 million between 2023 and 2024. While immigrants cannot vote in federal elections, children of immigrants, especially those who fail to integrate, could change voting patterns.

Additionally, immigrants will account for an even larger net population growth rate in the coming years as the number of U.S.-born children dropped by 0.2% from 73.3 million in 2023 to 73.1 million in 2024.

Only 33 states and D.C. recorded more births than deaths, with the net natural increase being highest Texas (158,753), California (110,466), and New York (43,701).

Nonetheless, this number includes the children born of illegal immigrants who are considered U.S. citizens by virtue of being born in the country. President Trump has promised to end birthright citizenship on Day One. 

Seventeen states recorded more deaths than births, with  Pennsylvania (-9,311), West Virginia (-7,844), and Florida (-7,321) recording the highest natural population declines. However, the number of states with fluctuating natural populations reduced from 19 in 2023 and 25 in 2022.

Unsurprisingly, the South recorded the highest population growth of 1.4%, adding another 1.8 million people to the region’s population of 132.7 million. International migration accounted for 1.1 million people, while domestic migration and natural population growth accounted for 411,004 and 218,567, respectively.

The District of Columbia, an illegal immigration sanctuary, recorded the highest population growth countrywide for states and state equivalents, at 2.2%, followed by Florida at 2.0%. However, Texas (562,941) and Florida (467,347) had the largest numerical gains.

Meanwhile, the West lost 170,000 people to domestic migration as residents continued to flock out of the region to other parts of the country. Still, it recorded a 0.9% increase in population due to international migration (667,794) and natural increase (187,986).