By adding an average of 803 new residents each day between July 1, 2013 and July 1, 2014, Florida passed New York to become the nation’s third most populous state, according to U.S. Census Bureau state population estimates released today. Florida’s population grew by 293,000 over this period, reaching 19.9 million. The population of New York increased by 51,000 to 19.7 million.

California remained the nation’s most populous state in 2014, with 38.8 million residents, followed by Texas, at 27.0 million. Although the list of the 10 most populous states overall was unchanged, two other states did change positions, as North Carolina moved past Michigan to take the ninth spot.

Another milestone took place in Georgia (ranked 8th), which saw its population surpass 10 million for the first time.

North Dakota was the nation’s fastest-growing state over the last year. Its population increased 2.2 percent, followed by the 1.7 percent growth in Nevada and Texas. Each of the 10 fastest-growing states was in the South or West with the exception of North Dakota. 

Six states lost population between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014: Illinois (9,972 or -0.08 percent), West Virginia (3,269 or -0.18 percent), Connecticut (2,664 or -0.07 percent), New Mexico (1,323 or -0.06 percent, Alaska (527 or -0.07 percent) and Vermont (293 or -0.05 percent).

The United States as a whole saw its population increase by 2.4 million to 318.9 million, or 0.75 percent.  

In addition to the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the new statistics also include estimates for Puerto Rico. On July 1, 2014, Puerto Rico had an estimated population of 3.5 million, a decline of 47,000, or 1.3 percent, from one year earlier.

The Census Bureau produces population estimates each year, allowing the public to gauge the growth and demographic composition of the nation, states and communities. These statistics use administrative data to estimate population change between census years, using the decennial census count as a starting point. Local governments use estimates to locate services, and estimates are used by the private sector to locate businesses.

The Census Bureau also released today estimates of the number of people 18 and older in the U.S., states and Puerto Rico. The downloadable file also includes total population and the percentage of people 18 and older. Internet address: http://www.census.gov/popest/data/datasets.html.

During 2015, the Census Bureau will release estimates of the 2014 population of counties, cities and towns, and metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas as well as national, state and county population estimates by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin.

The 10 Most Populous States on July 1, 2014

Rank   State                            Population

1          California                    38,802,500

2          Texas                         26,956,958

3          Florida                       19,893,297

4          New York                   19,746,227

5          Illinois                        12,880,580

6          Pennsylvania              12,787,209

7          Ohio                           11,594,163

8          Georgia                      10,097,343

9          North Carolina              9,943,964

10        Michigan                      9,909,877

The 10 Fastest-Growing States from July 1, 2013 to July 1, 2014

Rank   State                            Percent Change

1          North Dakota                 2.16

2          Nevada                         1.71

3          Texas                           1.70

4          Colorado                       1.59

5          District of Columbia       1.51

6          Florida                          1.49

7          Arizona                         1.45

8          Utah                             1.38

9          Idaho                           1.34

10        South Carolina              1.27

The 10 States with the Largest Numeric Increase from July 1, 2013 to July 1, 2014

Rank   State                            Numeric Increase

1          Texas                           451,321

2          California                      371,107

3          Florida                         292,986

4          Georgia                       102,584

5          Arizona                         96,487

6          North Carolina               95,047

7          Washington                   87,788

8          Colorado                       83,780

9          South Carolina               60,553

10        Virginia                          55,944

-X-

The Census Bureau develops state population estimates by measuring population change since the most recent census. The Census Bureau uses births, deaths, administrative records and survey data to develop estimates of population. For more detail regarding the methodology, see <http://www.census.gov/popest/methodology/index.html>.

Robert Bernstein 

Public Information

301-763-3030

e-mail: <pio@census.gov>

CB14-232

State contacts

Detailed tables