The U.S. population grew at its fastest pace in over two decades, reaching 340 million residents in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The 1% growth rate for 2024 marks the highest since 2001 and contrasts sharply with the record low of 0.2% in 2021, when pandemic-related travel restrictions were in place.
Immigration was the primary driver of this increase, with net international migration adding 2.8 million people. This figure represents 84% of the nation’s total population increase of 3.3 million between 2023 and 2024. The jump in numbers is partly due to a revised counting method that includes individuals admitted for humanitarian reasons, such as those granted humanitarian parole.
The Census Bureau’s new methodology accounts for migrants who entered through special humanitarian programs, a practice utilized by both Republican and Democratic administrations for the past seven decades. The Washington-based Migration Policy Institute reported that between 2021 and 2024, over 5.8 million individuals were admitted under these various humanitarian policies.
Despite the uptick in immigration, natural population growth remained relatively low. Births outpaced deaths by only 519,000 from 2023 to 2024. While an improvement over the historic low of 146,000 recorded in 2021, it still falls significantly below the highs of previous decades.
The timing of these population estimates comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to office on January 20. Trump has pledged to implement mass deportations and reinforce border security, signaling a potential shift in immigration policy. This has led to speculation that some migrants may attempt to enter the country before stricter measures are enacted.
Population estimates are critical for federal planning and resource allocation. They determine the distribution of trillions of dollars in federal funding and help guide policy decisions at the national, state, and local levels. These figures provide official counts each year between the decennial censuses, informing government agencies, lawmakers, and the public about demographic trends.
As immigration continues to influence U.S. population dynamics, the debate over border security and immigration policy remains a focal point for both federal and state governments. With Texas and other states actively pursuing measures to deter illegal crossings, the balance between humanitarian admissions and enforcement of immigration laws will likely shape the nation’s demographic future.