U.S. population hits 342 million as immigration crackdown slows growth

Census Bureau estimates show the United States reached nearly 342 million in 2025, with overall growth slowing to about 0.5% from roughly 1% in 2024, driven largely by a drop in immigration. Immigration added about 1.3 million people in 2025, down from 2.8 million in 2024. California posted a net population loss, while the South continued to grow and births exceeded deaths by 519,000. The data, covering July 2024–July 2025, reflect early effects of enforcement surges and are being weighed for their broader economic and regional impacts, though officials say the numbers appear credible despite concerns about political interference at some agencies.