South Carolina Claims Top Spot for Population Growth as Nation Slows

South Carolina posted the fastest population growth in the country from July 2024 to July 2025. The state grew by 1.5%, according to U.S. Census Bureau numbers. The Palmetto State gained 79,958 people during this span, pulled forward by arrivals from other states.

Net domestic migration sparked the expansion. A total of 66,622 individuals relocated from elsewhere in the country, making up 83.3% of total growth. Idaho came next with 1.4%, while North Carolina reached 1.3%.

This surge lifted the state's population close to 5.6 million. Since 2000, it has grown by more than 450,000 people — an 8.8% climb.

North Carolina sent the most people south, with 33,151 making the move in 2024. New York came in second at 18,324. The traffic between the Carolinas runs in both directions, though. Some 29,982 people departed South Carolina for North Carolina during the same stretch.

Census numbers show that 50.7% of current residents were born in the state. Another 7.4% came from another country. The most common birthplaces for residents are North Carolina at 5.2%, New York at 5%, and Georgia at 3.7%.

The share of residents over 18 climbed from 79% in 2024 to 79.4% in 2025, hinting at a population that's aging a bit.

Texas led all states in raw numbers, adding 391,243 new residents. Florida followed with 196,680, North Carolina with 145,907, and Georgia with 98,540. South Carolina ranked fifth despite having a population two to five times smaller than those states.

The nation saw its slowest population growth since the early pandemic. U.S. population rose just 0.5% in 2025, down from 1.0% in 2024. Net international migration fell sharply, dropping from 2.7 million to 1.3 million between the two periods.

All but five states grew during this time. California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Vermont, and West Virginia lost population.

The Census Bureau will release more detailed estimates from the period in March. Additional numbers will appear throughout spring.