United States population quick facts: Here's how many people live in the US in 2023
The census is conducted every 10 years in the United States, but did you know it’s required by the Constitution? In Article I, Section 2, the Constitution says Congress must count the residents of the country once every 10 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The census serves an important role in politics. It affects “apportionment” – the proportional determination of the number of seats each state is awarded in the House of Representatives.
Between each decennial census, it’s still important policymakers know the country’s population because it can affect the economy, health care, education, housing and more, according to the U.N. Population Fund.
What is the population of the U.S.?
As of December 2023, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates approximately 335 million people live in the country.
With a birth every nine seconds, a death every 10 seconds and an international migrant coming into the country every 32 seconds, the U.S. has a net gain of one person roughly every 22 seconds, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Biggest state in the US?: We ranked them largest to smallest by land area
Which U.S. city has the largest population?
New York City has the largest population of any U.S. city. The city’s 8.8 million residents make the city more than twice as populous as the runner-up, Los Angeles, according to the Brookings Institute.
What is the population density of the U.S.?
The U.S. had an overall population density of about 94 people per square mile in 2021, according to Statista.
However, population density can vary immensely throughout a country. In 2021, the state of Alaska had a population density of just over 1 person per square mile – but Washington D.C. had a population density of over 10,000 people per square mile, according to Statista.
What is the population growth rate of the U.S.?
The U.S. had a growth rate of 0.4% in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This represents a significant rebound after historically low growth rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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