The United States is the third-largest country by population, with approximately 339,172,809 people as of January 2023. However, the population is not evenly distributed among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Some states have over 40 million residents, while others have fewer than a million. In this article, we’ll explore the most populous states in the United States in 2023, based on the latest projections from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Top 10 Most Populated States in 2023
As per the U.S. Census Bureau, here is a list of the ten most populous states in the United States in 2023. It includes their estimated populations and the growth rates between 2020 and 2022:
| Rank | State | Population (2023) | Growth Rate (2020-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 40,223,504 | 0.57% |
| 2 | Texas | 30,345,487 | 1.34% |
| 3 | Florida | 22,359,251 | 1.24% |
| 4 | New York | 20,448,194 | -0.01% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 13,092,796 | -0.01% |
| 6 | Illinois | 12,807,072 | -0.01% |
| 7 | Ohio | 11,878,330 | -0.01% |
| 8 | Georgia | 11,019,186 | 0.88% |
| 9 | North Carolina | 10,710,558 | 0.88% |
| 10 | Michigan | 10,135,438 | -0.01% |
According to the table, California stands out as the most populous state in the United States, with over 40 million residents, accounting for nearly 12% of the country’s total population.
If California were an independent nation, it would have the world’s fourth or fifth-largest economy and rank 38th in terms of population, surpassing countries like Canada, Australia, Peru, and Greece.
Texas follows closely as the second most populous state, with over 30 million residents, comprising 9% of the total U.S. population in 2023. Notably, Texas experiences a growth rate of 1.34% per year, while California’s growth rate is significantly lower at 0.57%.
This divergence in growth rates becomes evident when observing the population changes since 2010. Texas has seen an increase of over 20%, whereas California’s growth has remained just below 12%.
Florida ranks as the third most populated state in the U.S., with a population exceeding 22.3 million and an annual growth rate of 1.24%. Following closely is New York, with a population of over 20.4 million, but experiencing a slight negative growth rate of -0.01%. It’s worth noting that approximately half of New York State’s population resides in New York City.
The remaining states in the top ten for population are Pennsylvania (13 million), Illinois (12.8 million), Ohio (11.8 million), Georgia (11 million), North Carolina (10.7 million), and Michigan (10.1 million). These states have either stable or slightly negative growth rates between 2020 and 2022.
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Factors Affecting Population Growth
Various factors contribute to the growth or decline of a state’s population. These factors include natural increase (the difference between births and deaths), net migration (both domestic and international), economic conditions, social trends, environmental concerns, and political policies.
Certain states experience high population growth rates due to factors like a younger population and higher fertility rates. For instance, Utah has the highest natural increase rate among all states at 1.02%, followed by Idaho at 0.86%, and Alaska at 0.78%.
Other states witness significant population growth through net migration, attracting more people from other states or countries than they lose. Nevada, for example, boasts the highest net migration rate among all states at 1.51%, followed by Idaho at 1.47%, and Arizona at 1.44%.
However, some states face low or negative population growth rates due to factors such as an aging population, lower fertility rates, net loss of residents to other states or countries, or experiencing natural disasters or economic downturns. West Virginia has the lowest population growth rate among all states at -0.33%, followed by Mississippi at -0.02%, and Illinois at -0.01%.
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Conclusion
The United States is a country known for its diversity and dynamism, housing a vast and varied population. As of 2023, the most populous states in the US include California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan.
These states collectively encompass over half of the nation’s total population and present distinct characteristics and unique challenges. By comprehending the population trends and factors specific to each state, we can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the United States’ diversity and intricate nature.
