(The Center Square) – Texas led the U.S. again in population gains over the year in domestic migration and births, according to the latest Census data.
Between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, the population increased in 47 states and the District of Columbia, with Texas reporting the largest numeric increase in the country, adding 563,000 people.
As of July 1, 2024, Texas had a population of 31,290,831, up from 30,727,890 as of July 1, 2023, and 29,149,458 as of July 1, 2022.
Texas also reported the greatest number of births outnumbering deaths of any state, accounting for an increase of 158,753 residents.
Texas also reported the largest gains from domestic migration of 85,267.
When it comes to net international migration, the Lone Star State reported the third-highest gains of 319,569, behind Florida and California.
Texas led in population grown in the region, reporting the greatest number of residents in the country: the South. Southern states reported nearly 132.7 million residents after gaining nearly 1.8 million, a 1.4% increase over the year.
“The South was the only region with positive net domestic migration, where the number of people entering the region exceeded those leaving,” the Census Bureau states.
In the South, Texas and Florida reported the most gains, adding 562,941 and 467,3347, respectively.
The greatest factor was international migration, with southern states receiving 1.1 million international migrants, according to the report. Domestic migration netted an additional 411,004 residents.
“Net international migration, which refers to any change of residence across U.S. borders (the 50 states and the District of Columbia), was the critical demographic component of change driving growth in the resident population,” the Census Bureau said. “With a net increase of 2.8 million people, it accounted for 84% of the nation’s 3.3 million increase in population between 2023 and 2024. This reflects a continued trend of rising international migration, with a net increase of 1.7 million in 2022 and 2.3 million in 2023.”
“Improved integration of federal data sources on immigration has enhanced our estimates methodology,” Census Bureau assistant division chief for Estimates and Projections Christine Hartley said. “With this update, we can better understand how the recent increase in international migration is impacting the country’s overall population growth.”
