New Jersey experienced a 1.3% increase in its population in 2024, surpassing the national median growth rate of 0.7%, as reported by a recent Pew analysis of U.S. Census data.
Population change is affected by the balance between new residents—both from births and newcomers arriving from other states and abroad—and those who move away or pass away. In 2024, immigration became the main factor contributing to population growth in almost every state experiencing an increase, including New Jersey.
"In fact, in 42 states, including New Jersey, population growth was faster in 2024 than the average for each of the previous 15 years (2009-2024)," the analysis states.
During the span between 2009 and 2024, New Jersey's population grew at an average annual rate of about 0.55%. Natural changes (births minus deaths) contributed 0.31% to this growth, while 0.25% was due to immigration from within the U.S. and abroad.
In contrast, between 2023 and 2024, New Jersey saw a 1.29% population increase, with immigration responsible for 1.1% of the growth. Natural changes accounted for only 0.28%.
Florida led in international migration rates in 2024, resulting in a total population growth rate of 2.04%, the highest among all states. After Florida, international migration significantly contributed to population growth in Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington.
Population trends have a complex impact on state budgets. Fast-growing populations can boost the tax base but also lead to increased expenses in public services such as education and infrastructure, according to Pew researchers.
"However, states with fast-growing populations typically have strong labor force growth, which fuels economic activity and helps generate tax revenue to fund increased spending on infrastructure, education, and other government services necessary to meet the needs of new residents," the researchers indicated.
“The uptick in immigration had a particularly strong impact on the Northeast, which had been the nation’s slowest-growing region from 2009 to 2024,” noted Pew researchers Joanna Biernacka-Lievestro and Alexandre Fall.
Traditionally, the Northeast is composed of states with older populations and declining birth rates. "But in 2024, median population growth in the Northeast outpaced that of the Midwest and West thanks to a spike in newcomers from abroad," they added.
