Idaho growth slows, still faster than national average

You have probably read reports and seen online discourse about people moving to the Gem State in droves. New numbers suggest that the anecdote is correct.

According to the Idaho Department of Labor, the state’s 2023 population growth was more than double the national average of 0.5%.

In July 2023, the U.S. Census estimated Idaho had a population of 1,964,726 — a 1.3% increase from the same time in 2022. 

“Despite the state’s position as 17th in numerical growth and falling from its top 10 status of the past two years, Idaho still outpaces the national population growth rate,” the news release said. 

In 2023, 78% of Idaho’s growth was from people moving to the Gem State from other places — 82% domestic and 18% international. In 2022, international migration to Idaho was just 5%.

The other 22% of Idaho’s population growth comes from natural change (birth minus deaths).

“Despite a slowdown in domestic migration from 2021, Idaho’s estimated increase of 15,389 still places it fourth in percentage change,” the release said. 

National numbers

In the United States, the estimated population grew to 334,914,895 — an increase of 1.6 million people. This is higher than the 0.4% growth rate in 2022 and 0.2% in 2021.

From 2022 to 2023, eight states saw their populations decline: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Comparatively, from 2021 to 2022 18 states’ populations declined.

The U.S. Census Bureau plans to release additional population estimates for Idaho in the spring. View full tables here.