The Sunshine State saw a 1.9 percent population increase from 2021 to 2022.
Since 1946, Florida’s population has grown every year. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Florida is once again the fastest growing state in the U.S., according to a Census report released Thursday, reclaiming the top spot for the first time in more than 60 years.
The Sunshine State saw a 1.9 percent population increase from 2021 to 2022, surpassing population growth in any other state for the first time since 1957.
Since 1946, Florida’s population has grown every year — even when U.S. population growth slowed overall. But in past years, it’s been edged out by Nevada, a state whose population today is a whopping 22 times its population in 1946.
Florida’s isn’t the only state with a rising population. Overall, the U.S. population is ticking back up after historic lows during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of that growth is due to immigration, according to newly released Census data.
In 2022, net international migration — the number of people moving into and out of the country — was the biggest driver of population growth in the U.S., according to the report. The U.S. added 1,010,923 residents from 2021 to 2022 from immigration alone — a 168.8 percent increase relative to 2020-2021.
The South saw the greatest growth of any region (1.1 percent), thanks to both domestic and international migration, followed by the West, which clocked a smaller 0.2 percent population increase. The Northeast and Midwest, meanwhile, both saw slight population declines (dips of 0.4 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively).
The report comes as the U.S. sits on the precipice of a migration emergency, with states preparing for the arrival of an influx of migrants as the nation’s Title 42 immigration policy is set to expire. On Monday, the Supreme Court granted an administrative stay to pause the roll back, which was originally set for Wednesday. Still, thousands of migrants have gathered at the U.S.-Mexico border, leading the mayor of El Paso, Texas, to declare a state of emergency over the weekend.
As a demography and population dynamics enthusiast with a profound understanding of the subject matter, I can confidently discuss the key concepts and implications embedded in the provided article about Florida's population growth, the overall U.S. population trends, and the role of migration.
Firstly, let's focus on the evidence presented in the article. The data reveals that Florida has regained its status as the fastest-growing state in the U.S., marking the first time in over 60 years. The Sunshine State experienced a 1.9 percent population increase from 2021 to 2022, outpacing all other states. This remarkable continuity in growth has been a consistent trend since 1946, making Florida a longstanding example of sustained population expansion.
Now, delving into broader U.S. population trends, it is crucial to recognize that the nation, as a whole, is rebounding from historic lows during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The article attributes this resurgence primarily to net international migration, where the U.S. added over a million residents from 2021 to 2022. This surge represents a notable 168.8 percent increase compared to the previous year, emphasizing the substantial impact of immigration on the country's demographic landscape.
Geographically, the South emerged as the region with the greatest population growth at 1.1 percent, driven by both domestic and international migration. The West, while still experiencing growth, posted a smaller increase at 0.2 percent. In contrast, the Northeast and Midwest witnessed slight population declines of 0.4 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. This regional variation underscores the dynamic nature of population shifts across the United States.
The article also hints at the broader context of a potential migration emergency, referencing the expiration of the Title 42 immigration policy and the subsequent preparation by states for an influx of migrants. The Supreme Court's decision to grant an administrative stay temporarily halting the rollback adds a layer of immediacy to the situation.
In conclusion, the provided information touches on several key concepts: sustained population growth in Florida, the overall resurgence of the U.S. population fueled by immigration, regional variations in growth rates, and the looming challenges associated with immigration policies and potential migration emergencies. These dynamics underscore the intricate interplay between demographic trends, policy decisions, and the broader socio-political context shaping the population landscape in the United States.
