How fast is America’s population growing?
[Source: U.S. Census Bureau]
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, your big brain, the information provided and any links below:
Because of the pandemic, the slowest percent population growth in America’s history occurred between 2020-2021. According to the visual above, by what percent did the U.S. population grow that year?
After a brief post-pandemic uptick – 0.8% in 2023 and a robust 1.0% in 2024 – America’s growth is slowing again. According to the visual above, U.S. population growth slowed to what percent between 2024 and 2025?
Census forecasters say if current trends continue, net immigration could drop by another million people in the current year. According to the visual above, what is the current U.S. population?
According to the visual below (Figure 1)* sizeable reduction in net international migration (NIM) – people moving between the United States and other countries – was the main reason for the slowdown. “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.” Why do you think net international migration fell so much this year?
More Americans means a larger labor force, increased productivity, larger markets, greater innovation, and more people to pay taxes. But population growth also means increased demand for food, water, energy, and raw materials which can lead to scarcity and conflict. Explain whether you think population growth for a country is a good thing.
As our population growth slows, our population ages. Old people (age 65 and up) cost more than young people (age 18 and down). In fact, according to The Brookings Institution, The United States spends 2.4 times as much on the elderly as on children, measured on a per capita basis, with the ratio rising to 7 to 1 if looking just at the federal budget. Explain how a rising elderly (65 and up) population will impact future government spending.
The Census Bureau counts the population of America and of our states. Explain how a state’s population impacts presidential and congressional elections.
Population growth by state is not equal. According to the visual below*, what state had the highest numeric growth last year?
Based on the visual below* explain which states might gain congressional representation in elections after 2030?
Programs that try to increase natural population growth by offering incentives (free child care, free parental leave, child tax credits) do not work. The best way to increase population is through increasing immigration from other countries. But currently, American policy is directed at reducing immigration which will lead to continued population slowdown and will have negative economic impacts. Why do you think American policy is focused on reducing immigration, despite the negative economic impacts?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Tweet President Trump at @realDonaldTrump and let him know what you think the government should do about population slowdown.
Get Creative
The rules for writing a Haiku are simple:
Poets try to capture a moment in time with both richness and simplicity.
Haiku are 3 lines of usually un-rhymed words totaling 17 syllables.
The syllable pattern is: 5 on first line, 7 in second line, 5 in the last line.
Write a Haiku about American population growth.
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