What Are the Fastest Growing States in 2026? Population & Migration Ranked
Florida is the fastest growing state in 2026 with 2% population growth and a net migration rate of +2.8/1,000 residents. Census data reveals which states are booming and which are shrinking across population change, migration, and employment metrics.
The 10 fastest-growing states
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.
Florida leads with 2% population growth and a net migration rate of +2.8/1,000. Arizona (1.8%) and Texas (1.7%) follow. The national average growth rate is 0.71%.
Growth is a vote of confidence. When people choose to move to a state, they're saying the combination of jobs, costs, and lifestyle works. When they leave, they're saying the opposite. Net migration — people moving in minus people moving out — is a more telling metric than raw population growth because it excludes births and deaths.
| Rank | State | Pop Growth | Net Migration |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Florida | +2% | +2.8/1K |
| #2 | Arizona | +1.8% | +4.7/1K |
| #3 | Texas | +1.7% | +2.8/1K |
| #4 | Idaho | +1.6% | +8.3/1K |
| #5 | Utah | +1.5% | +0.9/1K |
| #6 | Nevada | +1.5% | +5.3/1K |
| #7 | Montana | +1.4% | +4.8/1K |
| #8 | South Carolina | +1.4% | +12.7/1K |
| #9 | Georgia | +1.3% | +2.3/1K |
| #10 | North Carolina | +1.2% | +7.6/1K |
#1: Florida
Florida is the fastest-growing state in America with 2% population growth and a net migration rate of +2.8 per 1,000 residents. People aren't just being born here — they're choosing to move here. With a cost of living index of 103, a median home price of $412,000, and a 4.3% unemployment rate, the appeal is straightforward: jobs, affordability, and space.
Florida ranks #28 overall (52.8/100). Growth at this pace brings its own challenges — housing pressure, infrastructure strain, and school crowding can follow population surges. The state scores 70.2 in fiscal health and 27.8 in outdoor access.
#2: Arizona
Arizona is growing at 1.8% with a net migration rate of +4.7/1,000. Median home price: $455,000. Cost of living: 101. Unemployment: 4.3%. An income tax rate of 2.5% and a total tax burden of 8.22% keep the fiscal picture manageable.
Arizona ranks #38 overall (44.7/100). Growth at this pace brings its own challenges — housing pressure, infrastructure strain, and school crowding can follow population surges. The state scores 65.2 in growth and 10.2 in education.
#3: Texas
Texas is growing at 1.7% with a net migration rate of +2.8/1,000. Median home price: $338,000. Cost of living: 97. Unemployment: 4.2%. The state charges no income tax, which is a draw for higher earners looking to keep more of their paycheck.
Texas ranks #37 overall (45.8/100). Growth at this pace brings its own challenges — housing pressure, infrastructure strain, and school crowding can follow population surges. The state scores 75.8 in affordability and 4.7 in outdoor access.
#4: Idaho
Idaho is growing at 1.6% with a net migration rate of +8.3/1,000. Median home price: $485,000. Cost of living: 91. Unemployment: 3.2%. An income tax rate of 5.7% and a total tax burden of 7.54% keep the fiscal picture manageable.
Idaho ranks #13 overall (70.7/100). Growth at this pace brings its own challenges — housing pressure, infrastructure strain, and school crowding can follow population surges. The state scores 80.5 in safety and 40.8 in education.
#5: Utah
At #5, Utah grows at 1.5% with net migration of +0.9/1,000. The median home runs $548,000, unemployment sits at 3.2%, and the cost of living index is 95.
Utah ranks #4 overall (79.3/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 93.9 in education and 22.6 in livability.
#6: Nevada
At #6, Nevada grows at 1.5% with net migration of +5.3/1,000. The median home runs $455,000, unemployment sits at 5.5%, and the cost of living index is 97.
Nevada ranks #43 overall (40.3/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 62.0 in affordability and 8.2 in education.
#7: Montana
At #7, Montana grows at 1.4% with net migration of +4.8/1,000. The median home runs $523,000, unemployment sits at 3.7%, and the cost of living index is 90.
Montana ranks #12 overall (71.1/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 71.8 in affordability and 46.1 in economy.
#8: South Carolina
At #8, South Carolina grows at 1.4% with net migration of +12.7/1,000. The median home runs $381,000, unemployment sits at 3.5%, and the cost of living index is 93.
South Carolina ranks #39 overall (44.0/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 78.3 in growth and 8.9 in outdoor access.
#9: Georgia
At #9, Georgia grows at 1.3% with net migration of +2.3/1,000. The median home runs $366,000, unemployment sits at 3.5%, and the cost of living index is 97.
Georgia ranks #31 overall (51.5/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 74.1 in affordability and 7.6 in outdoor access.
#10: North Carolina
At #10, North Carolina grows at 1.2% with net migration of +7.6/1,000. The median home runs $368,000, unemployment sits at 3.5%, and the cost of living index is 94.
North Carolina ranks #27 overall (53.7/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 74.9 in affordability and 13.5 in outdoor access.
Why people are moving
The top drivers of interstate migration: cost of living, job opportunities, tax climate, weather, and remote work flexibility. Among the 10 fastest-growing states, the average cost of living index is 96 and the average tax burden is 8.1%. 3 of the 10 have no state income tax.
Remote work has accelerated these patterns. Workers who can live anywhere increasingly choose affordable states with good quality of life. The pandemic didn't start this trend — it just removed the geographic leash for millions of workers. States that combine low costs with good broadband (like Nevada at 99% broadband coverage) are positioned to keep attracting remote workers.
States losing population
On the other end: Vermont (-0.3%), Hawaii (-0.1%), West Virginia (0%), Mississippi (+0.1%), Ohio (+0.2%) are seeing the biggest declines. Vermont has a net migration rate of -0.8/1,000 — people are leaving faster than others arrive.
Common factors among shrinking states: higher costs of living (average COL index: 95), higher tax burdens (10.5%), and in some cases, limited job growth or harsh climates. When a state loses population, it also loses tax revenue, which can create a feedback loop that makes the remaining residents' situation worse.
Growth isn't always good
States growing at 2%+ annually face real challenges: housing price inflation, infrastructure strain, school overcrowding, and water scarcity (especially in the arid West). Nevada's rapid growth has pushed its median home price to $455,000, and some longtime residents find themselves priced out by newcomers.
The sweet spot may be moderate growth — enough to signal opportunity and keep the economy dynamic, but not so much that infrastructure can't keep up. States growing at 0.5-1.5% annually often manage the best balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What is the fastest growing state?
Nevada is the fastest growing state in 2026, with 1.5% population growth and a net migration rate of +5.3 per 1,000 residents. Utah (1.5%) and Florida (2%) follow. The national average growth rate is 0.71%. Nevada's growth is driven by a combination of job creation, affordable housing (median home price: $455,000), a cost of living index of 97, and no state income tax. People aren't just being born here — they're actively choosing to relocate, which is why net migration is a more revealing metric than raw population growth.
Q:Which states are losing population?
Vermont, Hawaii, West Virginia are losing the most residents, with Vermont declining by 0.3% and a net migration rate of -0.8/1,000 — meaning significantly more people are leaving than arriving. Common factors among shrinking states include higher costs of living (average COL index: 95), higher tax burdens (10.5%), limited job growth, or harsh climates. When a state loses population, it also loses tax revenue, federal representation, and business investment, which can create a feedback loop that makes the remaining residents' situation worse over time.
Q:Why are people moving to the sunbelt?
Sun Belt migration is driven by several interconnected factors: lower costs of living (average COL index among the 10 fastest-growing states is 96), no or low income tax (3 of the 10 fastest-growing states have no income tax), warmer weather appealing to retirees and outdoor enthusiasts, strong job creation in construction, healthcare, technology, and logistics, and the freedom of remote work which removes the geographic leash for millions of knowledge workers. The average tax burden among the 10 fastest-growing states is 8.1%, compared to the national average of 8.7%. The pandemic didn't start this trend — people have been moving south and west for decades — but remote work accelerated it dramatically.
Q:Does remote work affect migration?
Yes, significantly. Remote work has fundamentally changed migration calculus by removing the requirement to live near an employer. Workers earning coastal salaries ($100K-$200K+) increasingly relocate to states with lower costs of living, where their income stretches dramatically further. A software engineer earning $150,000 remotely in a state with a COL index of 87 gains roughly $19,500 in purchasing power compared to a state with a COL index of 120. States that combine low costs with strong broadband infrastructure are the biggest beneficiaries — Nevada offers 99% broadband coverage alongside affordable living. This trend is expected to continue as more companies adopt permanent hybrid or fully remote policies.
Q:Is rapid population growth good for a state?
Growth is a double-edged sword. Positive effects include a stronger tax base, more business investment, job creation, higher home values, cultural dynamism, and increased political representation. But states growing at 2%+ annually face real challenges: housing price inflation as demand outpaces supply, infrastructure strain on roads, water systems, and schools, longer commutes as development outpaces transit planning, and water scarcity in arid Western states. Nevada's rapid growth has already pushed its median home price to $455,000, pricing out some longtime residents. The sweet spot appears to be moderate growth (0.5-1.5% annually) — enough to signal opportunity without overwhelming infrastructure. Sustainable growth requires parallel investment in housing, schools, and utilities.