A state population can grow, or shrink, two ways: either by natural change or through net migration. Natural change means births less deaths, while net migration is the amount of people moving to an area minus the people moving out. The U.S. gained more than 1.6 million people this past year, growing by 0.5% to 334,914,895, according to the Census Bureau, through both natural change and migration.
The South is not only the nation’s most populous region, but it also accounted for 87% of the nation’s growth in 2023, as the region added over 1.4 million residents. Indeed if we also separate population growth to migration and natural change components, the fastest growing states tend to be in the South. (Here also are cities with the highest influx of new residents last year.)
To find the states that are growing fastest because people are moving there, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the Census Bureau’s State Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2023 released December 2023. Using vintage 2023, we compared each state’s population growth components from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, ranking the states by the percentage population growth from migration. All data is from the Census. (Interestingly, international migration includes armed forces movement.)
Among the 10 states growing the most through migration, seven are in the South, two in the Midwest, and one, surprisingly, in the Northeast — a region that has been losing residents. Among the four most populous states, New York and California have been losing residents, while Florida and Texas have been gaining them in droves. North and South Carolina, along with Florida, Delaware, and Tennessee are the top five growing states from migration alone. (Also see, America’s fastest growing counties.)
50. New York
Source: StockByM / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: -0.73% — or a decrease of 142,911 people
- Migration components: -216,778 domestic migration; +73,867 international migration
- Natural pop change: +41,536 — 207,450 births; 165,914 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 19,571,216 — total change: -101,984 or -0.52% from 2022
49. Alaska
Source: kenlund / Flickr
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: -0.48% — or a decrease of 3,539 people
- Migration components: -5,543 domestic migration; +2,004 international migration
- Natural pop change: +3,685 — 9,266 births; 5,581 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 733,406 — total change: 130 or 0.02% from 2022
48. California
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: -0.48% — or a decrease of 187,389 people
- Migration components: -338,371 domestic migration; +150,982 international migration
- Natural pop change: +111,416 — 414,120 births; 302,704 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 38,965,193 — total change: -75,423 or -0.19% from 2022
47. Hawaii
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: -0.46% — or a decrease of 6,566 people
- Migration components: -11,193 domestic migration; +4,627 international migration
- Natural pop change: +2,355 — 15,167 births; 12,812 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,435,138 — total change: -4,261 or -0.30% from 2022
46. Louisiana
Source: Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA / Wikimedia Commons
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: -0.45% — or a decrease of 20,418 people
- Migration components: -29,692 domestic migration; +9,274 international migration
- Natural pop change: +6,115 — 56,209 births; 50,094 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 4,573,749 — total change: -14,274 or -0.31% from 2022
45. Illinois
Source: franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: -0.34% — or a decrease of 43,347 people
- Migration components: -83,839 domestic migration; +40,492 international migration
- Natural pop change: +10,453 — 127,235 births; 116,782 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 12,549,689 — total change: -32,826 or -0.26% from 2022
44. Oregon
Source: thyegn / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: -0.04% — or a decrease of 1,747 people
- Migration components: -6,051 domestic migration; +4,304 international migration
- Natural pop change: –4,239 — 39,046 births; 43,285 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 4,233,358 — total change: -6,021 or -0.14% from 2022
43. Kansas
Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: -0.02% — or a decrease of 642 people
- Migration components: -4,574 domestic migration; +3,932 international migration
- Natural pop change: +4,439 — 34,768 births; 30,329 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 2,940,546 — total change: 3,830 or 0.13% from 2022
42. Pennsylvania
Source: kimon / Flickr
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.01% — or an increase of 951 people
- Migration components: -24,825 domestic migration; +25,776 international migration
- Natural pop change: –11,079 — 129,489 births; 140,568 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 12,961,683 — total change: -10,408 or -0.08% from 2022
41. Maryland
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.03% — or an increase of 2,072 people
- Migration components: -30,905 domestic migration; +32,977 international migration
- Natural pop change: +14,199 — 67,969 births; 53,770 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 6,180,253 — total change: 16,272 or 0.26% from 2022
40. New Jersey
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.05% — or an increase of 4,632 people
- Migration components: -44,666 domestic migration; +49,298 international migration
- Natural pop change: +25,492 — 102,055 births; 76,563 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 9,290,841 — total change: 30,024 or 0.32% from 2022
39. Mississippi
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.07% — or an increase of 2,186 people
- Migration components: -2,614 domestic migration; +4,800 international migration
- Natural pop change: –1,404 — 34,628 births; 36,032 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 2,939,690 — total change: 762 or 0.03% from 2022
38. Michigan
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.08% — or an increase of 7,766 people
- Migration components: -15,051 domestic migration; +22,817 international migration
- Natural pop change: –4,030 — 101,911 births; 105,941 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 10,037,261 — total change: 3,980 or 0.04% from 2022
37. Iowa
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.11% — or an increase of 3,509 people
- Migration components: -3,603 domestic migration; +7,112 international migration
- Natural pop change: +3,779 — 36,898 births; 33,119 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 3,207,004 — total change: 7,311 or 0.23% from 2022
36. New Mexico
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.12% — or an increase of 2,554 people
- Migration components: -1,088 domestic migration; +3,642 international migration
- Natural pop change: –1,616 — 20,728 births; 22,344 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 2,114,371 — total change: 895 or 0.04% from 2022
35. Massachusetts
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.16% — or an increase of 11,498 people
- Migration components: -39,149 domestic migration; +50,647 international migration
- Natural pop change: +6,983 — 68,387 births; 61,404 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 7,001,399 — total change: 18,659 or 0.27% from 2022
34. Minnesota
Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.17% — or an increase of 9,889 people
- Migration components: -4,686 domestic migration; +14,575 international migration
- Natural pop change: +13,843 — 63,754 births; 49,911 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 5,737,915 — total change: 23,615 or 0.41% from 2022
33. Connecticut
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.17% — or an increase of 6,248 people
- Migration components: -9,016 domestic migration; +15,264 international migration
- Natural pop change: +2,115 — 34,957 births; 32,842 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 3,617,176 — total change: 8,470 or 0.23% from 2022
32. Washington
Source: gmc3101 / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.18% — or an increase of 13,643 people
- Migration components: -15,276 domestic migration; +28,919 international migration
- Natural pop change: +14,860 — 82,523 births; 67,663 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 7,812,880 — total change: 28,403 or 0.36% from 2022
31. Rhode Island
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.23% — or an increase of 2,553 people
- Migration components: -3,224 domestic migration; +5,777 international migration
- Natural pop change: –428 — 10,006 births; 10,434 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,095,962 — total change: 2,120 or 0.19% from 2022
30. Nebraska
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.23% — or an increase of 4,607 people
- Migration components: -834 domestic migration; +5,441 international migration
- Natural pop change: +5,699 — 24,195 births; 18,496 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,978,379 — total change: 10,319 or 0.52% from 2022
29. Virginia
Source: ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.24% — or an increase of 21,132 people
- Migration components: -6,985 domestic migration; +28,117 international migration
- Natural pop change: +15,689 — 95,669 births; 79,980 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 8,715,698 — total change: 36,599 or 0.42% from 2022
28. Ohio
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.24% — or an increase of 28,718 people
- Migration components: +637 domestic migration; +28,081 international migration
- Natural pop change: –2,462 — 128,826 births; 131,288 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 11,785,935 — total change: 26,238 or 0.22% from 2022
27. West Virginia
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.26% — or an increase of 4,696 people
- Migration components: +3,595 domestic migration; +1,101 international migration
- Natural pop change: –8,666 — 17,263 births; 25,929 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,770,071 — total change: -3,964 or -0.22% from 2022
26. North Dakota
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.29% — or an increase of 2,289 people
- Migration components: -9 domestic migration; +2,298 international migration
- Natural pop change: +2,704 — 9,649 births; 6,945 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 783,926 — total change: 5,014 or 0.64% from 2022
25. Missouri
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.31% — or an increase of 19,023 people
- Migration components: +11,171 domestic migration; +7,852 international migration
- Natural pop change: –55 — 68,334 births; 68,389 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 6,196,156 — total change: 18,988 or 0.31% from 2022
24. Wisconsin
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.33% — or an increase of 19,301 people
- Migration components: +5,648 domestic migration; +13,653 international migration
- Natural pop change: +1,147 — 59,839 births; 58,692 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 5,910,955 — total change: 20,412 or 0.35% from 2022
23. Colorado
Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.33% — or an increase of 19,167 people
- Migration components: +7,236 domestic migration; +11,931 international migration
- Natural pop change: +17,399 — 62,498 births; 45,099 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 5,877,610 — total change: 36,571 or 0.63% from 2022
22. Indiana
Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.33% — or an increase of 22,468 people
- Migration components: +4,599 domestic migration; +17,869 international migration
- Natural pop change: +7,508 — 79,587 births; 72,079 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 6,862,199 — total change: 29,925 or 0.44% from 2022
21. Vermont
Source: ErikaMitchell / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.33% — or an increase of 2,156 people
- Migration components: +844 domestic migration; +1,312 international migration
- Natural pop change: –1,804 — 5,072 births; 6,876 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 647,464 — total change: 354 or 0.05% from 2022
20. Utah
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.34% — or an increase of 11,623 people
- Migration components: +1,338 domestic migration; +10,285 international migration
- Natural pop change: +24,796 — 45,965 births; 21,169 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 3,417,734 — total change: 36,498 or 1.08% from 2022
19. Kentucky
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.37% — or an increase of 16,592 people
- Migration components: +8,965 domestic migration; +7,627 international migration
- Natural pop change: –2,005 — 52,380 births; 54,385 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 4,526,154 — total change: 14,591 or 0.32% from 2022
18. New Hampshire
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.37% — or an increase of 5,157 people
- Migration components: +4,298 domestic migration; +859 international migration
- Natural pop change: –2,109 — 12,155 births; 14,264 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,402,054 — total change: 3,051 or 0.22% from 2022
17. Wyoming
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.40% — or an increase of 2,338 people
- Migration components: +2,016 domestic migration; +322 international migration
- Natural pop change: +103 — 5,882 births; 5,779 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 584,057 — total change: 2,428 or 0.42% from 2022
16. Nevada
Source: photoquest7 / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.41% — or an increase of 12,908 people
- Migration components: +8,642 domestic migration; +4,266 international migration
- Natural pop change: +3,733 — 33,055 births; 29,322 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 3,194,176 — total change: 16,755 or 0.53% from 2022
15. Alabama
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.71% — or an increase of 36,128 people
- Migration components: +30,744 domestic migration; +5,384 international migration
- Natural pop change: –1,562 — 58,251 births; 59,813 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 5,108,468 — total change: 34,565 or 0.68% from 2022
14. South Dakota
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.73% — or an increase of 6,600 people
- Migration components: +4,812 domestic migration; +1,788 international migration
- Natural pop change: +2,813 — 11,369 births; 8,556 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 919,318 — total change: 9,449 or 1.04% from 2022
13. Arkansas
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.73% — or an increase of 22,202 people
- Migration components: +18,106 domestic migration; +4,096 international migration
- Natural pop change: –907 — 35,566 births; 36,473 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 3,067,732 — total change: 21,328 or 0.70% from 2022
12. Arizona
Source: 4kodiak / E+ via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.78% — or an increase of 57,814 people
- Migration components: +36,179 domestic migration; +21,635 international migration
- Natural pop change: +7,702 — 78,494 births; 70,792 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 7,431,344 — total change: 65,660 or 0.89% from 2022
11. Oklahoma
Source: ffooter / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.80% — or an increase of 31,967 people
- Migration components: +23,587 domestic migration; +8,380 international migration
- Natural pop change: +2,567 — 48,073 births; 45,506 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 4,053,824 — total change: 34,553 or 0.86% from 2022
10. Georgia
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.81% — or an increase of 88,325 people
- Migration components: +58,206 domestic migration; +30,119 international migration
- Natural pop change: +27,817 — 125,664 births; 97,847 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 11,029,227 — total change: 116,077 or 1.06% from 2022
9. Maine
Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.82% — or an increase of 11,425 people
- Migration components: +9,216 domestic migration; +2,209 international migration
- Natural pop change: –5,053 — 11,945 births; 16,998 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,395,722 — total change: 6,384 or 0.46% from 2022
8. Montana
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 0.90% — or an increase of 10,094 people
- Migration components: +9,485 domestic migration; +609 international migration
- Natural pop change: –171 — 11,206 births; 11,377 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,132,812 — total change: 9,934 or 0.88% from 2022
7. Idaho
Source: knowlesgallery / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 1.03% — or an increase of 20,053 people
- Migration components: +15,389 domestic migration; +4,664 international migration
- Natural pop change: +5,639 — 22,456 births; 16,817 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,964,726 — total change: 25,730 or 1.33% from 2022
6. Texas
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 1.05% — or an increase of 315,301 people
- Migration components: +186,767 domestic migration; +128,534 international migration
- Natural pop change: +158,253 — 390,494 births; 232,241 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 30,503,301 — total change: 473,453 or 1.58% from 2022
5. Tennessee
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 1.08% — or an increase of 76,471 people
- Migration components: +63,417 domestic migration; +13,054 international migration
- Natural pop change: +1,028 — 82,244 births; 81,216 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 7,126,489 — total change: 77,513 or 1.10% from 2022
4. North Carolina
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 1.18% — or an increase of 126,712 people
- Migration components: +97,264 domestic migration; +29,448 international migration
- Natural pop change: +12,657 — 121,148 births; 108,491 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 10,835,491 — total change: 139,526 or 1.30% from 2022
3. Delaware
Source: Thinkstock
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 1.24% — or an increase of 12,597 people
- Migration components: +10,320 domestic migration; +2,277 international migration
- Natural pop change: –172 — 10,725 births; 10,897 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,031,890 — total change: 12,431 or 1.22% from 2022
2. Florida
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 1.68% — or an increase of 372,870 people
- Migration components: +194,438 domestic migration; +178,432 international migration
- Natural pop change: –7,603 — 223,578 births; 231,181 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 22,610,726 — total change: 365,205 or 1.64% from 2022
1. South Carolina
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
- Pct. population chg from migration, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023: 1.74% — or an increase of 91,853 people
- Migration components: +82,562 domestic migration; +9,291 international migration
- Natural pop change: –1,271 — 57,581 births; 58,852 deaths
- Population as of July 1, 2023: 5,373,555 — total change: 90,600 or 1.71% from 2022
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