Census Bureau Reports Lowest Population Growth on Record in 2021

In 2021, the United States population increased by just 393,000 at a growth rate of 0.12%, the lowest since the Census Bureau began collecting data in 1900, The NAHB’s Eye on Housing reports. Between 2020 and 2021, 29 states reported population growth, while 18 states and the District of Columbia lost part of their resident population. Declining population growth in 2021 was likely a result of decreasing fertility rates, limited international migration, and increasing mortality as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of the United States increased by 393,000 to an estimated 332 million from the previous year. In 2021, the estimated population growth rate of 0.12 percent was the lowest since the Bureau began collecting this data beginning in 1900.

Three states, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia remained virtually unchanged. Texas and Florida posted the largest numerical increases to their population, by 310,000 and 211,000 residents, respectively, among all the states. In percentage terms, Idaho and Utah had the greatest increases at 2.88 percent and 1.72 percent. The five states with the highest population were California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida, the same as last year.

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