Immigration Drives U.S. Metro Area Growth, Census Reveals

New data shows international migration as the leading factor in urban population increases between 2023 and 2024, offsetting domestic outmigration.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that metro areas grew by 3.2 million people from 2023 to 2024, with 2.7 million attributed to international migration.
Cities like New York, Houston, and Dallas experienced the largest population gains, while Florida led in percentage growth with cities such as Ocala and Panama City seeing significant increases.
Immigration has become the primary driver of population growth in urban centers, as domestic migration trends show Americans moving to suburban and rural areas.
Areas like New York City and San Francisco, which saw population declines during the COVID-19 pandemic, are now seeing rebounds, though some remain below pre-pandemic levels.
The Census Bureau highlighted that declining birth rates and increasing deaths in many counties underscore the critical role of immigration in sustaining population growth.