The latest population estimates from the Census Bureau have revealed that South Carolina was the fastest-growing state in the nation this year. The Palmetto State’s population surged by 1.7%, adding approximately 90,600 residents and reaching a new total of 5.37 million between July 2022 and July 2023.
Sun Belt States See Strong Growth
Florida and Texas followed closely behind South Carolina, each with a growth rate of 1.6%. Florida’s population climbed by 365,205, hitting an estimated 22.61 million, while Texas saw an influx of 473,453 residents, bringing its total population to 30.5 million.
North Carolina Maintains Strong Footing
North Carolina also demonstrated significant growth, ranking fifth in the nation with a 1.3% increase. This expansion added 139,526 residents to the state, pushing its population to an estimated 10.83 million and solidifying its position as the ninth-largest state in the U.S.
National Population Rebounds
While California remains the most populous state with 38.96 million residents, both Carolinas performed impressively in terms of numeric growth. North Carolina experienced the third-largest increase nationwide, while South Carolina ranked fifth.
The Census Bureau, which released these estimates in December 2023, indicated that national population figures are making a comeback to pre-pandemic patterns. The U.S. population grew by 0.5% in 2023, adding over 1.6 million people to reach approximately 334.91 million. This growth, though still considered historically low, marks an improvement from the 0.4% growth in 2022 and 0.2% in 2021.
Regional Trends
The South continued to be the primary driver of population growth in the country, accounting for 87% of the total U.S.increase in 2023. The region added over 1.4 million residents, reaching a total of 130.12 million. It remains the only region in the U.S. that has continued to grow throughout the pandemic, largely due to strong migration. Meanwhile, the Midwest saw a modest increase after two years of decline, the West grew at a slightly lower rate, and the population loss in the Northeast slowed down.
These population trends have significant implications for various sectors, such as housing, education, and infrastructure. Understanding these shifts can help policymakers and businesses make informed decisions about resource allocation and future planning.
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