Census Data Shows That North Carolina Is The Third Fastest Growing State In 2025

Census data from the new Vintage 2025 Population estimates released by the Census Bureau reveal that North Carolina was the third fastest growing state. Nationally, the population of the United States grew by 1.8 million or 0.5% from July 1st, 2024, and July 1st, 2025, a significant decrease in the rate of growth compared to previous years. North Carolina was the third fastest growing state growing by 1.3% over the 2024-to-2025-time range. South Carolina and Idaho grew at a faster rate of 1.8% and 1.4% respectively.  

“The slowdown in U.S. population growth is largely due to a historic decline in net international migration, which dropped from 2.7 million to 1.3 million in the period from July 2024 through June 2025,” said Christine Hartley, assistant division chief for Estimates and Projections at the Census Bureau. “With births and deaths remaining relatively stable compared to the prior year, the sharp decline in net international migration is the main reason for the slower growth rate we see today.” 

Overall, the South saw a population growth drop below 1.0% for the first time since 2021, with 1.4% growth between 2023 and 2024, to 0.9% growth for 2024 to 2025. The Northeast saw the largest decline in growth from 0.8% grown between 2023 and 2024, to 0.2% between 2024 and 2025. All but five states grow in population between July 2024 and July 2025. California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Vermont, and West Virginia experienced population decline.  

The American Redistricting Project says the population trends revealed in the Census data means that North Carolina will likely gain another Congressional seat in 2030.