The Fastest Shrinking States in America: Every State Ranked

The New York Times recently reported a swath of Americans are leaving the U.S. for New Zealand in hopes of securing a less chaotic life. But for Americans looking to move a bit closer to home, relocating across state lines is on the rise. In 2021, about 7.9 million people moved out of their current state, compared to an uptick of 8.2 million people moving to a new state in 2022. These numbers highlight the ongoing decade-long trend of more Americans moving state-to-state, as opposed to relocating to other areas in their home state or leaving the country entirely. This remains the case, despite the fact that overall migration has declined.

The 24/7 Wall St. staff assessed the Census Bureau’s State Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2023, which was released at the end of 2023. They used this data to find which American state is shrinking the fastest. Specifically, they compared individual states’ July 1, 2023, population to its July 1, 2022, population. These states are listed in order of percentage change, from highest increase to largest decrease.

The three states with the least population decline are South Carolina, Florida, and Texas. Each of these states is located in the southern U.S., revealing a potential pattern of Americans favoring life in the South. However, other southern states like Louisiana top the list of population loss. The boot state lost 14,274 residents during the year in question.

New York State suffered the largest drop in population out of all 50 U.S. states, experiencing a 0.52% reduction in population. This is likely due in large part to a mass exodus from NYC. One recent survey found only 37.1% of residents were comfortable with the level of safety within the city.

Why We Are Writing About This

Though the number of Americans moving has decreased recently, thanks to reasons such as increased mortgage rates, plenty of Americans are still on the move. Recent research conducted by Architectural Digest found 29% of those surveyed have plans to relocate in 2024. Even more astounding: 39% of millennials wish to move, or have already done so, in 2024. Affordability was the most common reason for a potential move.

50. South Carolina

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 1.71%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 90,600 — 5th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 5,282,955 — 23rd largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 5,373,555 — 23rd largest population

49. Florida

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 1.64%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 365,205 — 2nd largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 22,245,521 — 3rd largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 22,610,726 — 3rd largest population

48. Texas

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 1.58%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 473,453 — the largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 30,029,848 — 2nd largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 30,503,301 — 2nd largest population

47. Idaho

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 1.33%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 25,730 — 17th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 1,938,996 — 13th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,964,726 — 13th smallest population

46. North Carolina

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 1.30%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 139,526 — 3rd largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 10,695,965 — 9th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 10,835,491 — 9th largest population

45. Delaware

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 1.22%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 12,431 — 17th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 1,019,459 — 6th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,031,890 — 6th smallest population

44. Tennessee

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 1.10%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 77,513 — 6th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 7,048,976 — 15th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 7,126,489 — 15th largest population

43. Utah

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 1.08%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 36,498 — 10th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 3,381,236 — 21st smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 3,417,734 — 21st smallest population

42. Georgia

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 1.06%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 116,077 — 4th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 10,913,150 — 8th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 11,029,227 — 8th largest population

41. South Dakota

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 1.04%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 9,449 — 14th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 909,869 — 5th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 919,318 — 5th smallest population

40. Arizona

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.89%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 65,660 — 7th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 7,365,684 — 14th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 7,431,344 — 14th largest population

39. Montana

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.88%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 9,934 — 15th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 1,122,878 — 8th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,132,812 — 8th smallest population

38. Oklahoma

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.86%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 34,553 — 12th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 4,019,271 — 23rd smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 4,053,824 — 23rd smallest population

37. Arkansas

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.70%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 21,328 — 19th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 3,046,404 — 18th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 3,067,732 — 18th smallest population

36. Alabama

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.68%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 34,565 — 11th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 5,073,903 — 24th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 5,108,468 — 24th largest population

35. North Dakota

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.64%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 5,014 — 10th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 778,912 — 4th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 783,926 — 4th smallest population

34. Colorado

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.63%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 36,571 — 9th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 5,841,039 — 21st largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 5,877,610 — 21st largest population

33. Nevada

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.53%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 16,755 — 20th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 3,177,421 — 19th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 3,194,176 — 19th smallest population

32. Nebraska

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.52%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 10,319 — 16th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 1,968,060 — 14th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,978,379 — 14th smallest population

31. Maine

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.46%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 6,384 — 11th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 1,389,338 — 9th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,395,722 — 9th smallest population

30. Indiana

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.44%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 29,925 — 14th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 6,832,274 — 17th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 6,862,199 — 17th largest population

29. Virginia

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.42%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 36,599 — 8th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 8,679,099 — 12th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 8,715,698 — 12th largest population

28. Wyoming

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.42%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 2,428 — 6th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 581,629 — the smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 584,057 — the smallest population

27. Minnesota

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.41%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 23,615 — 18th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 5,714,300 — 22nd largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 5,737,915 — 22nd largest population

26. Washington

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.36%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 28,403 — 15th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 7,784,477 — 13th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 7,812,880 — 13th largest population

25. Wisconsin

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.35%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 20,412 — 20th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 5,890,543 — 20th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 5,910,955 — 20th largest population

24. New Jersey

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.32%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 30,024 — 13th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 9,260,817 — 11th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 9,290,841 — 11th largest population

23. Kentucky

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.32%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 14,591 — 18th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 4,511,563 — 25th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 4,526,154 — 25th smallest population

22. Missouri

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.31%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 18,988 — 21st largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 6,177,168 — 18th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 6,196,156 — 18th largest population

21. Massachusetts

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.27%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 18,659 — 21st smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 6,982,740 — 16th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 7,001,399 — 16th largest population

20. Maryland

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.26%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 16,272 — 19th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 6,163,981 — 19th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 6,180,253 — 19th largest population

19. Connecticut

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.23%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 8,470 — 13th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 3,608,706 — 22nd smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 3,617,176 — 22nd smallest population

18. Iowa

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.23%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 7,311 — 12th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 3,199,693 — 20th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 3,207,004 — 20th smallest population

17. Ohio

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.22%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 26,238 — 16th largest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 11,759,697 — 7th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 11,785,935 — 7th largest population

16. New Hampshire

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.22%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 3,051 — 7th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 1,399,003 — 10th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,402,054 — 10th smallest population

15. Rhode Island

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.19%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 2,120 — 5th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 1,093,842 — 7th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,095,962 — 7th smallest population

14. Kansas

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.13%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 3,830 — 8th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 2,936,716 — 16th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 2,940,546 — 17th smallest population

13. Vermont

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.05%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 354 — 2nd smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 647,110 — 2nd smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 647,464 — 2nd smallest population

12. New Mexico

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.04%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 895 — 4th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 2,113,476 — 15th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 2,114,371 — 15th smallest population

11. Michigan

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.04%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 3,980 — 9th smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 10,033,281 — 10th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 10,037,261 — 10th largest population

10. Mississippi

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.03%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 762 — 3rd smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 2,938,928 — 17th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 2,939,690 — 16th smallest population

9. Alaska

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 0.02%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: 130 — the smallest absolute increase
Population as of July 1, 2022: 733,276 — 3rd smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 733,406 — 3rd smallest population

8. Pennsylvania

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -0.08%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -10,408 — 4th smallest absolute decline
Population as of July 1, 2022: 12,972,091 — 5th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 12,961,683 — 5th largest population

7. Oregon

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -0.14%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -6,021 — 3rd smallest absolute decline
Population as of July 1, 2022: 4,239,379 — 24th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 4,233,358 — 24th smallest population

6. California

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -0.19%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -75,423 — 2nd largest absolute decline
Population as of July 1, 2022: 39,040,616 — the largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 38,965,193 — the largest population

5. West Virginia

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -0.22%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -3,964 — the smallest absolute decline
Population as of July 1, 2022: 1,774,035 — 12th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,770,071 — 12th smallest population

4. Illinois

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -0.26%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -32,826 — 3rd largest absolute decline
Population as of July 1, 2022: 12,582,515 — 6th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 12,549,689 — 6th largest population

3. Hawaii

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -0.30%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -4,261 — 2nd smallest absolute decline
Population as of July 1, 2022: 1,439,399 — 11th smallest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 1,435,138 — 11th smallest population

2. Louisiana

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -0.31%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -14,274 — 4th largest absolute decline
Population as of July 1, 2022: 4,588,023 — 25th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 4,573,749 — 25th largest population

1. New York

Pct. population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -0.52%
Total population change, July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023: -101,984 — the largest absolute decline
Population as of July 1, 2022: 19,673,200 — 4th largest population
Population as of July 1, 2023: 19,571,216 — 4th largest population

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