The latest data from the Census Bureau reveals a striking trend: U.S.-born citizens contributed a mere 16% of the nation’s population growth in 2024. With the total population climbing by 1.0% to 340.1 million—the highest growth rate since 2000—it’s clear that international migration is now the primary engine driving this surge. Of the 3.3 million net population increase, a whopping 2.8 million came from international migration, dwarfing the contribution of natural population growth.
This shift in demographic dynamics paints an interesting picture of the United States’ future. The pandemic-induced low in population growth back in 2020—when international travel restrictions throttled migration—underscored the declining role of natural increase in population trends. Even during this period, birth rates temporarily ticked up, but surging deaths wiped out much of the gain. Fast forward to today, and the trend is unmistakable: the U.S.-born population is on a slow decline, while migration continues to reshape the country’s demographics.
The political implications of these changes cannot be overstated. The “voting-age resident population” rose sharply by 78.5% in just one year, now totaling 267 million. While non-citizen immigrants remain ineligible to vote, their U.S.-born children, especially those less integrated into American culture, could dramatically shift voting patterns in the years to come. It’s worth noting that President Trump has pledged to end birthright citizenship on his first day back in office, a move that could further stir the already heated debate surrounding immigration.
Meanwhile, the South emerged as the big winner in terms of population growth, boasting a 1.4% increase driven by international migration, domestic migration, and natural growth. States like Texas and Florida saw substantial numerical gains, with Texas adding more than half a million residents in 2024 alone. On the flip side, the West continued to bleed residents through domestic migration, losing 170,000 people. However, international migration and a modest natural increase kept the region’s population growth in positive territory at 0.9%.
The data highlights an evolving national story. While southern states enjoy booming population growth fueled by migration and natural births, others—like Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Florida—grapple with natural population declines as deaths outpace births. The influx of immigrants, coupled with falling birth rates among U.S.-born citizens, suggests a seismic shift in the nation’s demographic makeup. Whether these trends serve to unite or divide the country further remains to be seen, but the numbers leave no doubt: the United States is changing, and fast.
Holy sh*t. American births account for just 16% of U.S. population growth in 2024. pic.twitter.com/gzz1wVholM
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 25, 2024
