Immigration Drives Population Growth in U.S. Metro Areas
New Census data reveals international migration as the primary factor behind urban population increases, offsetting domestic outmigration and declining birth rates.
- U.S. metropolitan areas grew by 3.2 million people between 2023 and 2024, with international migration accounting for 2.7 million of the increase.
- Nearly 90% of the nation’s 387 metro areas experienced population growth, with Southern states like Florida, Texas, and South Carolina leading in percentage increases.
- Major urban centers such as New York City, Houston, and Dallas saw the largest numeric gains, recovering from pandemic-era population declines.
- Declining birth rates and domestic outmigration were counterbalanced by immigration, marking the first time in over a century that migration solely drove U.S. population growth.
- Rising population in urban areas has tightened rental markets, with cities like New York experiencing record-high rents and low vacancy rates.
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