The Fastest Growing States in America (2026)
South Carolina is the fastest growing state in 2026 with a growth score of 78.3/100, followed by Idaho (76.0), North Carolina (65.7), Florida (65.3), and Arizona (65.2). Scores combine Census population change, net domestic migration rate, and BLS unemployment data. California ranks last at 10.1.
Key Takeaways
- 1South Carolina leads the nation in growth with a score of 78.3, 2.3 points ahead of #2 Idaho. The top 3 is rounded out by North Carolina at 65.7.
- 2The South dominates: 5 of the top 10 states are in the South. South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Texas lead the way for the region.
- 3The 68.2-point gap between #1 South Carolina and #50 California is one of the widest spreads across all categories. The median state scores 42.7, meaning half of all states fall below this threshold.
- 4The bottom 5 — Louisiana, Illinois, New York, Alaska, California — span multiple regions with no single geographic cluster. California ranks last at 10.1, highlighting that weak growth performance is not limited to one part of the country.
- 5Despite ranking #1 in growth, South Carolina sits at #39 overall — a notable divergence that shows category leadership doesn't always translate to top composite scores. This gap suggests South Carolina has room to improve in other areas to climb the overall rankings.
Related Analysis
What Are the Fastest Growing States in 2026? Population & Migration Ranked
America's population continues to shift. Census data shows stark differences in growth rates across states, driven by a mix of domestic migration, birth rates, job creation, and housing affordability. The sunbelt is winning, but the pattern is more complex than a simple "everyone's moving south" narrative.
Read the full analysis →| Rank | State | Grade | Growth Score | Overall Score | Pop Growth | Net Migration | Unemployment | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Carolina | A+ | 78.3 | 44.0 | +1.4% | +1.27% | 3.5% | South |
| 2 | Idaho | A+ | 76.0 | 70.7 | +1.6% | +0.83% | 3.2% | West |
| 3 | North Carolina | A+ | 65.7 | 53.7 | +1.2% | +0.76% | 3.5% | South |
| 4 | Florida | A+ | 65.3 | 52.8 | +2% | +0.28% | 4.3% | South |
| 5 | Arizona | A+ | 65.2 | 44.7 | +1.8% | +0.47% | 4.3% | West |
| 6 | South Dakota | A | 63.4 | 81.8 | +1% | +0.23% | 2% | Midwest |
| 7 | Montana | A | 62.7 | 71.1 | +1.4% | +0.48% | 3.7% | West |
| 8 | Tennessee | A | 62.2 | 46.8 | +1% | +0.68% | 3.3% | South |
| 9 | Utah | A | 61.0 | 79.3 | +1.5% | +0.09% | 3.2% | West |
| 10 | Texas | A | 60.8 | 45.8 | +1.7% | +0.28% | 4.2% | South |
| 11 | Georgia | B+ | 57.9 | 51.5 | +1.3% | +0.23% | 3.5% | South |
| 12 | Alabama | B+ | 56.5 | 38.9 | +0.6% | +0.51% | 2.7% | South |
| 13 | North Dakota | B+ | 53.7 | 76.6 | +0.8% | -0.04% | 2.2% | Midwest |
| 14 | New Hampshire | B+ | 52.9 | 87.8 | +0.6% | +0.35% | 2.8% | Northeast |
| 15 | Nevada | B+ | 52.5 | 40.3 | +1.5% | +0.53% | 5.5% | West |
| 16 | Virginia | B+ | 50.4 | 74.9 | +0.8% | +0.06% | 2.9% | South |
| 17 | Colorado | B+ | 49.8 | 66.2 | +1.1% | +0.09% | 3.8% | West |
| 18 | Oklahoma | B+ | 49.3 | 41.5 | +0.6% | +0.35% | 3.3% | South |
| 19 | Maine | B | 48.8 | 77.3 | +0.5% | +0.38% | 3.2% | Northeast |
| 20 | Nebraska | B | 46.9 | 74.9 | +0.7% | -0.08% | 2.8% | Midwest |
Show all 50 states ▾Show fewer ▴
| 21 | Missouri | B | 45.6 | 49.3 | +0.5% | +0.20% | 3.2% | Midwest |
| 22 | Delaware | B | 45.4 | 52.3 | +0.7% | +0.79% | 5.2% | Northeast |
| 23 | Wyoming | B | 44.3 | 69.4 | +0.6% | +0.15% | 3.5% | West |
| 24 | Wisconsin | B | 43.7 | 65.2 | +0.4% | +0.11% | 3% | Midwest |
| 25 | Arkansas | B | 42.8 | 30.9 | +0.5% | +0.44% | 4.2% | South |
| 26 | Indiana | B | 42.7 | 50.7 | +0.6% | +0.06% | 3.5% | Midwest |
| 27 | Maryland | C+ | 42.2 | 67.7 | +0.7% | -0.30% | 2.9% | Northeast |
| 28 | Minnesota | C+ | 42.0 | 76.7 | +0.6% | -0.02% | 3.4% | Midwest |
| 29 | Iowa | C+ | 41.5 | 69.5 | +0.4% | -0.01% | 3% | Midwest |
| 30 | Washington | C+ | 39.1 | 61.4 | +1% | +0.03% | 4.9% | West |
| 31 | Kansas | C+ | 38.4 | 59.3 | +0.5% | -0.16% | 3.3% | Midwest |
| 32 | Connecticut | C+ | 37.0 | 73.5 | +0.8% | -0.17% | 4.2% | Northeast |
| 33 | New Mexico | C+ | 35.0 | 33.1 | +0.5% | -0.07% | 4% | West |
| 34 | Rhode Island | C+ | 33.6 | 69.8 | +0.5% | -0.03% | 4.3% | Northeast |
| 35 | Kentucky | C | 32.1 | 38.4 | +0.3% | +0.16% | 4.5% | South |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | C | 30.5 | 60.3 | +0.3% | -0.09% | 4.1% | Northeast |
| 37 | Vermont | C | 30.2 | 79.6 | -0.3% | -0.08% | 2.7% | Northeast |
| 38 | Ohio | C | 30.0 | 49.1 | +0.2% | -0.02% | 4.1% | Midwest |
| 39 | Massachusetts | C | 29.8 | 72.8 | +0.9% | -0.39% | 4.9% | Northeast |
| 40 | Mississippi | C | 28.4 | 31.5 | +0.1% | -0.17% | 3.7% | South |
| 41 | West Virginia | C | 27.3 | 34.4 | 0% | +0.26% | 4.7% | South |
| 42 | New Jersey | C | 27.2 | 65.9 | +0.7% | -0.38% | 4.8% | Northeast |
| 43 | Hawaii | D | 27.0 | 63.2 | -0.1% | -0.65% | 2.2% | West |
| 44 | Oregon | D | 25.8 | 58.1 | +0.5% | -0.03% | 5.4% | West |
| 45 | Michigan | D | 25.0 | 47.7 | +0.3% | -0.08% | 4.9% | Midwest |
| 46 | Louisiana | D | 22.1 | 25.9 | +0.2% | -0.38% | 4.3% | South |
| 47 | Illinois | D | 20.5 | 52.0 | +0.3% | -0.45% | 4.6% | Midwest |
| 48 | New York | D | 19.9 | 58.4 | +0.4% | -0.62% | 4.5% | Northeast |
| 49 | Alaska | F | 14.4 | 42.1 | +0.3% | -0.51% | 5.3% | West |
| 50 | California | F | 10.1 | 42.9 | +0.2% | -0.61% | 5.4% | West |
Top 10 States for Growth
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest growing state in 2026?
South Carolina is the fastest growing state in 2026 with a growth score of 78.3/100, followed by Idaho (76.0) and North Carolina (65.7). South Carolina combines +1.4% population growth with a net migration rate of +12.7 per 1,000 residents and 3.5% unemployment. Growth rankings use Census Bureau population change estimates (40%), net domestic migration rate (35%), and BLS unemployment data (25%). Rapid growth signals economic opportunity — people move to states where they see jobs, affordable housing, and a good quality of life.
Which states are losing population?
The states with the weakest growth in 2026 are California (10.1/100), Alaska (14.4), and New York (19.9). These states are experiencing population decline or significant net out-migration, meaning more residents are leaving than arriving. Common factors driving out-migration include high cost of living, high tax burdens, limited job growth, and harsh climates. When a state loses population, it also loses tax revenue and federal representation, which can create a negative feedback loop. However, some population loss reflects retirees leaving colder climates rather than a broad quality-of-life failure — context matters.
How is the growth score calculated?
The growth score combines three metrics: Census Bureau annual population change estimates (40% weight), net domestic migration rate from the Census Bureau (35% weight — this isolates people choosing to move in or out, excluding births and deaths), and unemployment rate from BLS (25% weight — low unemployment indicates economic dynamism). Each metric is normalized to a 0-100 scale. Growth carries a 10% weight in the composite. Net migration is the most telling component because it reflects people voting with their feet — when someone chooses to move to a state, they're signaling that the combination of jobs, costs, and lifestyle works for them.
Why are Sun Belt states growing so fast?
Sun Belt states — particularly in the South and West — dominate growth rankings for several interconnected reasons. Lower costs of living attract workers and retirees from expensive coastal states. Warmer climates appeal to retirees and outdoor enthusiasts. No or low income tax in states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Nevada provides a direct financial incentive. Job creation in these states has been strong, driven by business-friendly regulations and lower operating costs. The rise of remote work has accelerated these patterns — workers who can live anywhere increasingly choose affordable, warm states. However, rapid growth also creates challenges: housing price inflation, infrastructure strain, water scarcity, and school overcrowding.
Is rapid population growth good for a state?
Not always. Growth brings economic dynamism, a stronger tax base, and business investment, but states growing at 2%+ annually face real challenges. Housing prices inflate as demand outpaces supply. Roads, utilities, and schools become overcrowded. Water resources can be strained, especially in arid Western states. Some longtime residents find themselves priced out by newcomers earning higher salaries. The sweet spot appears to be moderate growth (0.5-1.5% annually) — enough to signal opportunity and attract talent, but manageable for infrastructure. Among the fastest-growing states, several are already seeing housing affordability erode as growth drives up demand. Sustainable growth requires investment in infrastructure and planning that keeps pace with population increases.
How the Growth Score Is Calculated
Our growth score combines Census Bureau population change estimates (40%), net domestic migration rate from the Census Bureau (35%), and unemployment data from BLS (25%). States attracting new residents through both natural growth and domestic migration while maintaining low unemployment receive the highest scores. Growth accounts for 7% of our composite ranking. Sun Belt states — particularly in the South and West — have dominated recent growth trends, driven by job creation, lower costs of living, and warmer climates. Some Northeastern states face population decline and net out-migration, which impacts their growth scores.