Idaho’s population growth rate second in nation for 2025

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s population continued its pattern of growth in 2025 with an over-the-year growth rate of 1.4%, ranking second nationally, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s recent population estimate data. From April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2025, Idaho grew the fastest in the nation at 10.4% growth, adding 190,610 new residents for a total of 2,029,733 people.

Idaho’s over-the-year population growth rate has bounced between 1.4% and 1.5% over the past three years, significantly lower than the growth rates seen in 2021 and 2022 (3% and 2% respectively). However, the state’s growth in 2025 was still higher than the nation’s growth of 0.5% and that of its contiguous states, including:

  • Utah (1%)
  • Nevada (0.9%)
  • Washington (0.9%)
  • Montana (0.6%)
  • Wyoming (0.3%)
  • Oregon (0.2%)

The 2025 census estimates indicate other states are experiencing slower and even negative population growth while Idaho continues attracting residents at a consistently fast pace. Other top states included South Carolina (1.5%), North Carolina (1.3%), Texas (1.2%) and Utah (1%).

Net migration into Idaho contributed 76% of the state’s growth in 2025, or 22,063 people. Of the total net migration, 90% were residents from other U.S. states and the remainder were from other countries. To contrast, natural population growth — the number of births minus deaths — accounted for just 24% of the state’s total growth in 2025, or 6,900 people.

This project is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Labor as part of an Employment and Training Administration award totaling $714,542.

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