The latest Census Bureau data paints a striking picture of the United States’ demographic trends, with U.S.-born citizens contributing a paltry 16% to the nation’s population growth in 2024. The total population rose by 1.0%, reaching 340.1 million—a growth rate not seen since the early 2000s. Yet, the real engine behind this surge wasn’t natural births but international migration, which accounted for 2.8 million of the 3.3 million net increase. If this trend keeps up, the U.S. might as well rebrand as the United States of Migration.
The decline in the natural increase of the U.S.-born population isn’t exactly breaking news, but the numbers are more glaring than ever. Back in 2020, when COVID-induced travel restrictions temporarily stalled migration, birth rates briefly rose. However, the sharp increase in deaths canceled out any gains. Fast forward to 2024, and it’s clear that international migration isn’t just a factor—it’s the driving force shaping America’s population. Meanwhile, birth rates among U.S.-born citizens have returned to their steady downward trajectory, as if signaling their quiet resignation in the face of this demographic shift.
Politically, these changes raise more than a few eyebrows. The number of voting-age residents jumped by 78.5% in just a year, totaling 267 million. While non-citizen immigrants remain barred from voting in federal elections, their U.S.-born children could wield significant influence at the ballot box in the future. For those less inclined to embrace assimilation, this could lead to notable shifts in voting patterns. President Trump, never one to shy away from polarizing proposals, has vowed to end birthright citizenship on day one of his next term—an idea certain to keep immigration at the forefront of national debate.
The South, meanwhile, is reaping the benefits of these population shifts. States like Texas and Florida saw significant growth, with Texas alone adding over half a million residents in 2024. Migration—both international and domestic—played a key role, along with natural population increases. In contrast, the West continued to lose residents through domestic migration, with 170,000 fleeing the region. However, international migration and modest natural growth kept the numbers in the black, with an overall growth rate of 0.9%. As Californians pack up for less-taxed pastures, southern states are thriving, solidifying their political and economic influence.
This data tells a story of a nation in flux. Southern states are booming while others, like Pennsylvania and West Virginia, face declining populations as deaths outpace births. The influx of immigrants, juxtaposed with dwindling birth rates among U.S.-born citizens, signals a seismic shift in America’s demographic makeup. Whether this evolving landscape fosters unity or exacerbates division is anyone’s guess, but one thing is certain: the numbers don’t lie, and they suggest a future where migration defines the United States far more than its native birthrate ever will.
Holy sh*t. American births account for just 16% of U.S. population growth in 2024. pic.twitter.com/gzz1wVholM
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 25, 2024
