15 Fastest Growing States (2024 Data) That Will Shock You
Forget what you think you know about population growth. South Carolina is growing faster than California. Montana is booming harder than New York. The latest census data reveals shocking winners in America's great migration—and most people have no idea.
🚀 Explosive Growth Leaders
2.9%
South Carolina leads
+498K people since 2020
8 States
Growing over 2% annually
Historic growth rates
5.5M
Total gained by top 15
= Colorado's population
The Shocking Growth Rankings
The Surprise Factor:
- • South Carolina (2.9%) is growing faster than California (0.2%)
- • Idaho (2.8%) is outpacing New York (-0.5%)
- • Montana (2.3%) beats Illinois (-0.8%)
- • The Southeast dominates with 6 of the top 15 spots
The Complete Top 15: Detailed Rankings
| Rank | State | 2024 Growth | 4-Year Growth | People Added | 2024 Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 1 | South Carolina | +2.9% | +9.1% | +498,000 | 5,402,000 |
| 🏆 2 | Idaho | +2.8% | +8.7% | +173,000 | 2,001,000 |
| 🏆 3 | Florida | +2.7% | +8.4% | +1,843,000 | 22,975,000 |
| 4 | Texas | +2.5% | +7.9% | +2,354,000 | 31,332,000 |
| 5 | Montana | +2.3% | +7.2% | +83,000 | 1,139,000 |
| 6 | Delaware | +2.2% | +6.9% | +71,000 | 1,055,000 |
| 7 | North Carolina | +2.1% | +6.7% | +734,000 | 10,975,000 |
| 8 | Nevada | +2.0% | +6.4% | +218,000 | 3,235,000 |
| 9 | Arizona | +1.9% | +6.0% | +456,000 | 7,497,000 |
| 10 | Utah | +1.9% | +6.0% | +207,000 | 3,488,000 |
| 11 | Georgia | +1.8% | +5.7% | +632,000 | 11,145,000 |
| 12 | Tennessee | +1.7% | +5.4% | +387,000 | 7,188,000 |
| 13 | Colorado | +1.6% | +5.1% | +299,000 | 5,967,000 |
| 14 | Washington | +1.5% | +4.8% | +378,000 | 7,951,000 |
| 15 | Oregon | +1.4% | +4.5% | +193,000 | 4,281,000 |
The Secret Behind Each State's Boom
South Carolina
Tech boom + retirees + no income tax on Social Security
North Carolina
Research Triangle + Charlotte banking + moderate climate
Population Pyramids: What Growth Looks Like
Fast-growing states share common traits: younger populations, balanced gender ratios, and healthy birth rates. Compare the top 5 fastest growing states' demographic structures.
#1 South Carolina
#2 Idaho
#3 Florida
#4 Texas
#5 Montana
Where Are All These People Coming From?
The Great American Migration 2020-2024
Top Sources (Losing States)
- California-750,000
- New York-630,000
- Illinois-410,000
- New Jersey-280,000
- Massachusetts-180,000
Top Destinations (Our Winners)
- Florida+1,843,000
- Texas+2,354,000
- North Carolina+734,000
- Georgia+632,000
- South Carolina+498,000
The Three Migration Waves
1. Tax Refugees (35%)
High earners fleeing CA, NY, NJ for no-income-tax states
2. Remote Workers (30%)
Tech workers keeping big-city salaries in cheap states
3. Retirees (35%)
Boomers cashing out expensive homes for Southern comfort
The Economic Boom Following Population Growth
GDP Growth (2020-2024)
- • Florida: +$180 billion GDP
- • Texas: +$420 billion GDP
- • Georgia: +$85 billion GDP
- • Tennessee: +$62 billion GDP
- • Combined: +$1.2 trillion
Jobs Created (2020-2024)
- • Florida: +980,000 jobs
- • Texas: +1,450,000 jobs
- • Georgia: +420,000 jobs
- • North Carolina: +380,000 jobs
- • Combined: +4.8 million jobs
Housing Market Explosion
+67%
Idaho home prices
+58%
Florida home prices
+52%
Montana home prices
2025 Projection: The Trend Accelerates
Expert Predictions for 2025:
- • South Carolina will break 3% growth as BMW and Boeing expand
- • Idaho faces infrastructure crisis from overwhelming growth
- • Florida adds another 500,000 people (a Wyoming per year)
- • Montana housing becomes completely unaffordable for locals
- • Delaware emerges as surprise tech hub
Warning Signs
- • Water shortages in Arizona, Nevada, Utah
- • Traffic gridlock in Austin, Nashville, Raleigh
- • School overcrowding in all top 15 states
- • Healthcare systems overwhelmed
- • Local residents priced out
Meanwhile, These States Are Dying
While our top 15 boom, these states face population collapse:
| Declining State | 2024 Change | People Lost | Main Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | -0.5% | -101,000 | Taxes + cost of living |
| Illinois | -0.8% | -95,000 | Chicago crime + taxes |
| California | -0.2% | -75,000 | Housing costs |
| Louisiana | -0.7% | -32,000 | Economy + hurricanes |
| West Virginia | -0.6% | -11,000 | No jobs + aging |
Gap between #1 growing (SC: +2.9%) and #1 declining (IL: -0.8%) = 3.7 percentage points
What This Means for You
If You're Moving TO These States
- ✓ Buy property ASAP (prices rising 10-15% annually)
- ✓ Expect traffic and infrastructure delays
- ✓ School waitlists are common
- ✓ Job market is hot but competitive
- ✓ Bring patience for growing pains
If You LIVE in These States
- ✓ Your property value is soaring
- ✓ Expect more crowding everywhere
- ✓ Local culture is changing rapidly
- ✓ Vote on growth management
- ✓ Consider cashing out at peak
The Bottom Line: America's New Growth Map
The 2024 data shatters conventional wisdom. California isn't the growth engine—South Carolina is. New York isn't the destination—Idaho is. The fastest growing states share three things: lower taxes, cheaper housing (for now), and pro-business policies.
These 15 states added 5.5 million people in just 4 years—equivalent to adding the entire state of Colorado. They're not just growing; they're reshaping American demographics, economics, and politics.
The message is clear: Americans are voting with their feet, and they're choosing sunshine, low taxes, and space over tradition, culture, and urban amenities. This isn't a trend—it's a permanent realignment of American population.
Explore These Fast-Growing States
South Carolina
Population: 5,402,000 • Added +498,000 people
Idaho
Population: 2,001,000 • Added +173,000 people
Florida
Population: 22,975,000 • Added +1,843,000 people
Texas
Population: 31,332,000 • Added +2,354,000 people
Montana
Population: 1,139,000 • Added +83,000 people
Delaware
Population: 1,055,000 • Added +71,000 people
Compare All 50 States + DC
See complete rankings, demographic breakdowns, and population pyramids for every state. Find out if your state is booming or busting.
Explore All State Demographics