Overview
- The Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates, released Thursday, show average metro growth easing to 0.6% from 1.1% a year earlier.
- A drop in international migration led the slowdown, with border metros hit hardest as growth fell to 0.2% in Laredo, 1.4% in Yuma, and turned negative at -0.7% in El Centro.
- Growth concentrated in the Southeast, with the Ocala, Florida, metro leading at 3.4% and South Carolina and North Carolina posting the fastest statewide gains.
- Far-out suburbs drew the most domestic movers, led by Collin and Montgomery counties in Texas and Pinal, Pasco, and Polk counties in the Sunbelt, reflecting remote work and high housing costs near big cities.
- Hurricanes Helene and Milton drove residents from parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast, with Pinellas County losing nearly 12,000 people and Taylor County recording a -2.2% drop.