What state loses the most residents?

As of recent estimates (2022-2023), New York has consistently lost the most residents in sheer numbers, though California and Illinois also see massive outflows, while in percentage terms, states like New York, Illinois, Hawaii, and California are among the fastest shrinking due to people moving away. West Virginia has also experienced population decline, with some data suggesting it was the only state to shrink in 2023-2024, while others show slowing losses for NY/CA.

What states are losing the most residents?

States consistently losing the most population recently (2020-2024) include New York, California, and Illinois, with West Virginia, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Oregon also seeing declines, often driven by people moving out, although the absolute numbers vary by year and source. New York often leads in the largest numerical losses, while California and Illinois also see significant outbound migration, despite some recent trends showing slight slowdowns or shifts.
 

Which US state has the most people leaving?

Top outbound states by volume: New York lost the most residents from 2020 to 2024 with 446,814 people leaving, followed by California with 530,886 net outbound, and Illinois with 139,399 departures, representing the largest absolute population losses in the nation.

What is the #1 overpopulated state?

The U.S. state with the largest population is California, which has some 39,000,000 residents.

Which US state is the most empty?

The most "empty" U.S. state, meaning the least densely populated, is Alaska, due to its immense size, harsh climate, and vast wilderness, with Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota also ranking low in population density after Alaska. While Wyoming has the fewest total people, Alaska has significantly fewer residents per square mile, making it the emptiest.
 

Top 10 States Losing Population. (You'll be surprised)

What is the emptiest state in the USA?

The emptiest state in America, based on population density (people per square mile), is Alaska, with roughly only 1.3 people per square mile, followed by Wyoming and Montana, due to their vast size, harsh climates, and remoteness. While Wyoming often has the absolute lowest total population, Alaska's immense land area makes it the most sparsely populated by far.
 

What is the blackest state by population?

Texas has the largest Black population by sheer numbers, but the District of Columbia (a territory, not a state) and states like Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and Maryland have the highest percentages (or proportions) of Black residents relative to their total populations. So, Texas has the most, but D.C., Mississippi, and Louisiana are "blackest" by percentage. 

Which state is expected to gain the most?

Over the next 25 years, Texas is projected to gain 8.6 million residents, the highest absolute increase across states. Like Texas, Florida and California are projected to lead nationally in population gains, adding 5.2 million and 3.1 million people, respectively.

What is the #1 state to live in the US?

1. Massachusetts. According to WalletHub's study, Massachusetts is the best state to live in, excelling in all key factors—and earning the top spot in the ranking. It has the lowest premature death rate in the US, and residents earn a cushy median household income of over $101,000.

What state is paying $10,000 to move there?

Oklahoma. Tulsa Remote is a program designed to help remote workers interested in moving to Oklahoma. It offers $10,000 to anyone who meets the five eligibility criteria below. Once you've applied, select applicants will be interviewed by Tulsa staff in order to learn more about your background and interest in the city ...

What is the #1 happiest state in the US?

Hawaii consistently ranks as the happiest and least stressed state in the United States, characterized by high levels of emotional and physical well-being among its residents.

What state do most people never leave?

Texas has the most people who never leave, leading the nation in "stickiness" with about 82% of people born there choosing to stay, followed by North Carolina, Georgia, and California, due to factors like strong job markets, lower costs, and cultural ties. States like Wyoming, North Dakota, and Alaska are at the opposite end, with many residents moving away.
 

What is the fastest growing US state?

Florida and Texas consistently rank as the fastest-growing states in the U.S. by population, especially in recent years (2023-2024), driven by significant net migration and immigration, though Utah and Idaho often lead in percentage growth over longer periods, fueled by natural increases and migration. Recent data highlights Florida's top spot in overall numeric growth and high percentage gains, with Texas close behind, while Utah remains a leader in long-term percentage growth.
 

What are the slowest growing states?

The slowest growing U.S. states recently include Louisiana, Hawaii, and Maine, with some states like West Virginia, Mississippi, and Vermont even losing population, while traditional slow-growers like New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Connecticut have seen minimal growth or flatlining, though some are rebounding slightly, according to Pew Research and Census data from 2024-2025.
 

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as it depends on the study, but recent reports often name Massachusetts, Vermont, or New Jersey as #1 for Quality of Life, with Massachusetts leading in overall metrics (health, education) and Vermont shining in specific areas like low crime and natural environment. Other top contenders include Idaho, Minnesota, and New York, highlighting that rankings vary based on whether they emphasize healthcare, economy, safety, or environment. 

Which state is shrinking the most?

As of recent estimates (2022-2023), New York has consistently lost the most residents in sheer numbers, though California and Illinois also see massive outflows, while in percentage terms, states like New York, Illinois, Hawaii, and California are among the fastest shrinking due to people moving away. West Virginia has also experienced population decline, with some data suggesting it was the only state to shrink in 2023-2024, while others show slowing losses for NY/CA. 

Which state has the strongest economy right now?

There isn't one single "best" economy, as it depends on metrics, but recent reports (mid-2025) often highlight Massachusetts (innovation, research), Utah (activity, income growth), and Texas (job growth, fiscal health) as top performers, with North Carolina, Washington, and California also frequently ranked high for overall strength and growth drivers like tech and manufacturing. 

What is the whitest state in the USA?

The whitest state in the USA by percentage is generally considered Maine, often followed closely by Vermont and New Hampshire, with these northeastern states having over 93-94% white populations, although some sources place West Virginia slightly higher depending on the exact year and data (e.g., 2023 data puts West Virginia at nearly 96%).
 

Which state has the least black people?

Wyoming consistently has the smallest Black population in the U.S., both in total numbers and as a percentage of its residents, followed by states like Montana, Maine, Vermont, and North Dakota, which also have very low Black populations, often less than 2% of their total population. These states have historically lacked large-scale industrial jobs and major urban centers that attracted significant Black migration during historical demographic shifts like the Great Migration, leading to smaller, more dispersed Black communities.
 

What is the most forgotten state in the USA?

The most forgotten U.S. state, according to data from trivia quizzes like Sporcle, is often cited as Missouri, followed by others in the Midwest and Northeast like Connecticut, Minnesota, and Massachusetts, often because they're overshadowed by larger coastal states or lack major, distinct landmarks. These states are easily missed when people try to quickly name all 50, despite having features like the Ozarks (Missouri) or famous colleges (Connecticut).
 

What's the least visited state?

Alaska consistently ranks as the least-visited U.S. state by domestic tourists, often followed by North Dakota, due to perceptions of remoteness, cold, and complex travel, despite its vast wilderness, wildlife, and unique experiences. Other states frequently cited among the least visited include Nebraska, Idaho, Montana, and West Virginia, often considered "flyover" states or overshadowed by neighbors.
 

What is the most non-white state?

The state with the highest proportion of a non-white population is Hawaii, which has never had a white majority and is considered a majority-minority state, followed closely by California, New Mexico, Texas, and Nevada, with states like California and Texas having large numbers but also huge total populations, while Hawaii consistently leads in the share of people of color.