Deaths Surpass Births in 17 U.S. States, Highlighting Demographic Shifts
Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that between July 2024 and July 2025, 17 states recorded more deaths than births, a significant increase from the early 2010s when only four states experienced this trend. This natural population decline, which excludes migration, indicates that births alone are no longer sufficient to sustain population growth in these states. The states with the largest natural declines include Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maine. Conversely, states like Texas, California, and New York continue to see natural population gains. The data underscores a broader trend of slowing natural population growth across the U.S.