US population growth at post-COVID low amid decline in net international migration

The bureau noted that the country saw a "brief post-pandemic uptick" in 2023 of 0.8% growth and an even higher rate of 1.0% in 2024. However, between 2024 and 2025 the growth rate slowed to just 0.5%, a post-COVID low. 

"When international migration slowed between 2024 and 2025, states throughout the country felt it, particularly those that relied on it most heavily for growth," the bureau said.

The drop in intentional migration meant that population gain from net international migration was the largest component for just 30 states and Washington, D.C., down from 40 states and D.C. the year before. The bureau also found that domestic migration was more prominent overall, becoming the largest component of change for 16 states, up from nine the year before.