Population
rankings by state.

Separate size, growth and the source of change

Total population answers how many people live in a state. Numeric growth measures additional residents, and percentage growth divides that change by the starting population. Domestic migration records moves between states; international migration is a different Census component. Births minus deaths are natural change. A state can lose residents through domestic migration and still grow overall because the other components offset that loss. The population-change page reconciles every component, including the residual, to the published total.

For population scale, use the count. For growth comparisons, use percentage change or component rates per 1,000 residents and check their denominator. Age shares and dependency ratios answer a separate demographic question: they are not counts of people who actually depend financially on someone else. Histories use one population-estimates vintage so revised years remain consistent.

Choose the measure that answers your question

The linked pages retain exact source precision for ranks, show true ties, and display uncertainty where it is available. The comparison tool lets you inspect selected states without changing their rank among the full 50-state universe. Shared comparisons preserve their data edition.