Immigration Drives U.S. Population Growth in 2024

The U.S. population surpassed 340 million in 2024, marking the fastest growth rate in 23 years, primarily driven by immigration, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The annual growth rate reached 1%, a stark increase from the 0.2% rate during pandemic restrictions in 2021. Net international migration accounted for 84% of the 3.3 million population increase, with approximately 2.8 million immigrants, partly due to a new counting method that includes humanitarian admissions. Natural population growth also contributed, with births exceeding deaths by 519,000, though this remains below historical norms. The surge in immigration is linked to both legal and illegal entries, coinciding with a declining birthrate and an aging population. The timing of these estimates is notable, as they precede President-elect Donald Trump's administration, which has pledged to implement stricter immigration policies.