The Census Bureau confirmed in 2024 that Americans are moving from blue states to the Southern red states where regulation and taxation aren’t as heavy. But it turns out even immigrants from outside the United States prefer the red states to the blue. James Freeman reports in The Wall Street Journal:
This week the Census Bureau reports its annual U.S. population estimates. Once again migrants from around the country and around the world are choosing to live in the lightly governed states of America’s Sun Belt. The bureau reports:
At nearly 132.7 million residents, the South is the most populous region. With a population gain of nearly 1.8 million — a change of 1.4% between 2023 and 2024 — the South added more people than all other regions combined, making it both the fastest-growing and largest-gaining region in the country.
The largest contributing component to this growth was international migration, which added 1.1 million people. Domestic migration netted another 411,004 residents. The South was the only region with positive net domestic migration, where the number of people entering the region exceeded those leaving. Natural increase also contributed 218,567 to the growing region.International migration is key to U.S. growth nationwide, not just in the Sun Belt.
Action Line: If you’re considering a move within the United States, begin your search for a better America with my 2024 Super States. Then, click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter to be one of the first to receive my 2025 update.
