New Population Estimates Available for the Nation, States and Puerto Rico

The population of the United States grew in the past year by 0.1 percent, the lowest rate since the nation's founding.

New Vintage 2021 Population Estimates Available for the Nation, States and Puerto Rico According to the U.S. Census Bureau's Vintage 2021 national and state population estimates and components of change released today, the population of the United States grew in the past year by 392,665, or 0.1%, the lowest rate since the nation's founding. The slow rate of growth can be attributed to decreased net international migration, decreased fertility, and increased mortality due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Population growth has been slowing for years because of lower birth rates and decreasing net international migration, all while mortality rates are rising due to the aging of the nation's population," said Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Population Division at the Census Bureau. "Now, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this combination has resulted in an historically slow pace of growth." Read More Since April 1, 2020 (Census Day), the nation's population increased from 331,449,281 to 331,893,745, a gain of 444,464, or 0.13%. Between July 1, 2020, and July 1, 2021, the nation's growth was due to natural increase (148,043), which is the number of excess births over deaths, and net international migration (244,622). This is the first time that net international migration (the difference between the number of people moving into the country and out of the country) has exceeded natural increase for a given year. Continue reading... New on America Counts: Read the Stories Behind Today's Population Estimates U.S. Population Grew 0.1% in 2021, Slowest Rate Since Founding of the Nation The U.S. population grew at a slower rate in 2021 than in any other year since the founding of the nation, based on historical decennial censuses and annual population estimates. The Census Bureau's Vintage 2021 Population Estimates released today show that the population grew only 0.1% and that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the slower growth the country has experienced in recent years. Read more.  Net International Migration at Lowest Levels in Decades The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted international migration patterns both to and from the United States, resulting in the lowest levels of international migration in decades and affecting the data typically used to measure migration flows. Net international migration added 247,000 to the nation's population between 2020 and 2021, according to the Census Bureau's July 1, 2021 population estimates released today. Read more. Net Outmigration from Puerto Rico Slows During Pandemic Net outmigration from Puerto Rico, which increased after Hurricane Maria in 2017 and a 6.4-magnitude earthquake in 2020, declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Census Bureau's population estimates released today. How did the Census Bureau calculate migration patterns and improve migration estimates in the wake of these major events? Read more. Help us spread the word about Census Bureau data! Share this on social media or forward it to a friend. Share This About the Census Bureau We serve as the nation's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. The Census Bureau is the federal government's largest statistical agency. As the world's premier statistical agency, we are dedicated to making our nation a better place. Policy-makers, businesses, and the public use our data to make informed decisions. For media interviews, please contact the Public Information Office Toll Free at 877-861-2010, 301-763-3030, or pio@census.gov.

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