The Fastest Growing States in America (2026)
Population growth signals economic opportunity and quality of life. 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 10% 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.
Growth Score by State
| Rank | State | Grade | Growth Score | Overall Score | Pop Growth | Net Migration | Unemployment | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Carolina | C | 78.3 | 43.2 | +1.4% | +1.27% | 3.5% | South |
| 2 | Idaho | B+ | 76.0 | 69.2 | +1.6% | +0.83% | 3.2% | West |
| 3 | North Carolina | C+ | 65.7 | 53.5 | +1.2% | +0.76% | 3.5% | South |
| 4 | Florida | C+ | 65.3 | 51.7 | +2% | +0.28% | 4.3% | South |
| 5 | Arizona | C | 65.2 | 44.3 | +1.8% | +0.47% | 4.3% | West |
| 6 | South Dakota | A+ | 63.4 | 80.2 | +1% | +0.23% | 2% | Midwest |
| 7 | Montana | B+ | 62.7 | 70.8 | +1.4% | +0.48% | 3.7% | West |
| 8 | Tennessee | C | 62.2 | 45.3 | +1% | +0.68% | 3.3% | South |
| 9 | Utah | A+ | 61.0 | 81.5 | +1.5% | +0.09% | 3.2% | West |
| 10 | Texas | C | 60.8 | 45.9 | +1.7% | +0.28% | 4.2% | South |
| 11 | Georgia | C+ | 57.9 | 51.3 | +1.3% | +0.23% | 3.5% | South |
| 12 | Alabama | C | 56.5 | 39.4 | +0.6% | +0.51% | 2.7% | South |
| 13 | North Dakota | A | 53.7 | 77.1 | +0.8% | -0.04% | 2.2% | Midwest |
| 14 | New Hampshire | A+ | 52.9 | 86.6 | +0.6% | +0.35% | 2.8% | Northeast |
| 15 | Nevada | D | 52.5 | 39.2 | +1.5% | +0.53% | 5.5% | West |
| 16 | Virginia | A | 50.4 | 74.3 | +0.8% | +0.06% | 2.9% | South |
| 17 | Colorado | B+ | 49.8 | 67.4 | +1.1% | +0.09% | 3.8% | West |
| 18 | Oklahoma | C | 49.3 | 41.8 | +0.6% | +0.35% | 3.3% | South |
| 19 | Maine | A | 48.8 | 76.8 | +0.5% | +0.38% | 3.2% | Northeast |
| 20 | Nebraska | A | 46.9 | 74.5 | +0.7% | -0.08% | 2.8% | Midwest |
| 21 | Missouri | C+ | 45.6 | 48.7 | +0.5% | +0.20% | 3.2% | Midwest |
| 22 | Delaware | C+ | 45.4 | 52.4 | +0.7% | +0.79% | 5.2% | Northeast |
| 23 | Wyoming | B+ | 44.3 | 68.2 | +0.6% | +0.15% | 3.5% | West |
| 24 | Wisconsin | B | 43.7 | 63.7 | +0.4% | +0.11% | 3% | Midwest |
| 25 | Arkansas | F | 42.8 | 29.9 | +0.5% | +0.44% | 4.2% | South |
| 26 | Indiana | C+ | 42.7 | 49.6 | +0.6% | +0.06% | 3.5% | Midwest |
| 27 | Maryland | B+ | 42.2 | 66.9 | +0.7% | -0.30% | 2.9% | Northeast |
| 28 | Minnesota | A+ | 42.0 | 77.1 | +0.6% | -0.02% | 3.4% | Midwest |
| 29 | Iowa | B+ | 41.5 | 68.7 | +0.4% | -0.01% | 3% | Midwest |
| 30 | Washington | B | 39.1 | 63.2 | +1% | +0.03% | 4.9% | West |
| 31 | Kansas | B | 38.4 | 59.5 | +0.5% | -0.16% | 3.3% | Midwest |
| 32 | Connecticut | A | 37.0 | 73.5 | +0.8% | -0.17% | 4.2% | Northeast |
| 33 | New Mexico | D | 35.0 | 32.6 | +0.5% | -0.07% | 4% | West |
| 34 | Rhode Island | B+ | 33.6 | 69.3 | +0.5% | -0.03% | 4.3% | Northeast |
| 35 | Kentucky | D | 32.1 | 38.0 | +0.3% | +0.16% | 4.5% | South |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | B | 30.5 | 58.2 | +0.3% | -0.09% | 4.1% | Northeast |
| 37 | Vermont | A+ | 30.2 | 77.5 | -0.3% | -0.08% | 2.7% | Northeast |
| 38 | Ohio | C+ | 30.0 | 49.1 | +0.2% | -0.02% | 4.1% | Midwest |
| 39 | Massachusetts | B+ | 29.8 | 70.3 | +0.9% | -0.39% | 4.9% | Northeast |
| 40 | Mississippi | D | 28.4 | 31.4 | +0.1% | -0.17% | 3.7% | South |
| 41 | West Virginia | D | 27.3 | 32.5 | 0% | +0.26% | 4.7% | South |
| 42 | New Jersey | B | 27.2 | 65.1 | +0.7% | -0.38% | 4.8% | Northeast |
| 43 | Hawaii | B | 27.0 | 64.8 | -0.1% | -0.65% | 2.2% | West |
| 44 | Oregon | B | 25.8 | 60.0 | +0.5% | -0.03% | 5.4% | West |
| 45 | Michigan | C | 25.0 | 45.0 | +0.3% | -0.08% | 4.9% | Midwest |
| 46 | Louisiana | F | 22.1 | 25.2 | +0.2% | -0.38% | 4.3% | South |
| 47 | Illinois | C+ | 20.5 | 50.5 | +0.3% | -0.45% | 4.6% | Midwest |
| 48 | New York | B | 19.9 | 56.8 | +0.4% | -0.62% | 4.5% | Northeast |
| 49 | Alaska | D | 14.4 | 39.3 | +0.3% | -0.51% | 5.3% | West |
| 50 | California | C | 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, followed by Idaho and North Carolina, based on population growth, net migration, and unemployment data.
Which states are losing population?
The states with the weakest growth in 2026 are California, Alaska, and New York, experiencing population decline or net out-migration.
How is the growth score calculated?
The growth score combines Census population change (40%), net domestic migration rate (35%), and unemployment rate (25%). Growth carries a 10% weight in the composite.