The U.S. Census Bureau released new data on Thursday showing that several of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas experienced population declines or slower growth between July 2024 and July 2025. The primary factor cited was a significant drop in net international migration, which has been influenced by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. George Hayward, a Census Bureau demographer, noted that major urban counties, often reliant on international migration for growth, saw their population trends diminish or reverse.
Los Angeles, Miami, and San Diego were among the hardest-hit areas, with New York City also recording its first population drop in three years. In contrast, Southern states like Florida, Georgia, and Texas continued to see strong population gains, with Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Atlanta leading in growth.
The Census Bureau reported that one in 10 counties experienced lower net migration levels, while the remaining nine out of 10 saw no increase in international migration. Border communities such as Laredo, Texas; Yuma, Arizona; and El Centro, California, saw the steepest declines in growth rates. Meanwhile, areas like Pinellas County, Florida, faced additional challenges due to natural disasters, compounding population losses.
Demographers emphasized that immigration has become a critical driver of population growth in an aging U.S. with low birth rates. The decline in migration has raised concerns about long-term demographic shifts, particularly in urban centers that have historically relied on immigrant populations to sustain growth.