Birth Rate

People biking across the Queensboro Bridge

U.S. Population Growing Again in 2022 After Flatlining in 2021

The U.S. Census released new population estimates last week, showing an increase in population growth just a year after national population growth crawled to an unprecedented halt.

December 27, 2022 - James Brasuell

Crowd

Census: U.S. Population Growing Slower Than Any Point Since the Nation's Founding

The pandemic has added increased mortality to decreasing birth rates and decreasing international immigration.

December 22, 2021 - U.S. Census Bureau

Los Angeles, California

Two Demographic Firsts, Both Losses, for California

The nation's most populous state learned from the Census Bureau last month that it would lose a congressional district for the first time in its history. On Friday, it revealed that 2020 was the first year since 1850 to experience a population loss.

May 10, 2021 - CALmatters

Sacramento

Why Is It Taking So Long for California's Population to Reach 40 Million?

It was thought that California's population would reach 40 million two summers ago, but growth continues to slow, setting records. Net migration, which includes domestic and international movement, was negative for the first time since 2010.

January 2, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Butte County, California

An Unexpected Turn for California's New State Population Report

Population data released May 1 by the Department of Finance reveals the Golden State's lowest population growth rate on record, at 0.47 percent.

May 6, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Hotel California

California Population Growth Continues to Slow

The latest demographic data released Friday by the state's demographic unit shows shows an increase of 0.54 percent, one of the lowest on record, as birth rates drop, death rates increase, and more people leave the state than arrive from others.

December 28, 2018 - California Department of Finance

Shanghai Shopping

China Population: From Explosion to Implosion

China's one-child policy, which compelled couples to seek abortions or undergo sterilization procedures, ended in October 2015. Yet the country's birth rate hasn't increased, and Communist Party officials are concerned about economic growth.

August 21, 2018 - The New York Times

Santa Monica Bikes

Sometime This Summer, California's Population Tops 40 Million

Rather than projecting when the 50 million milestone will be reached, demographic and political indicators predict the state's population is more likely to decline, according to Joe Mathews of Zócalo Public Square.

July 23, 2018 - Zocalo Public Square

Fertility Rates, Birth Rates, Births Fell to Record Lows in U.S. Last Year

Births and birth rates dropped to a 30-year low, not an issue of concern yet, but if the trend continues, the U.S. could join other developed nations that must deal with the consequences of an aging population. Immigration plays an uncertain factor.

May 21, 2018 - NPR: The Two-Way

California Grows by 301,000 to 39.5 Million

The 0.77 percent growth rate comes mostly from increased births, reports the California Department of Finance. The Census Bureau estimated the population increase at 20 percent less for the same time period: July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017.

December 26, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Millennials

Another Problem to Blame on Millennials

First the auto companies blamed millennials for not driving enough, and now demographers blame them for the nation's declining birth rate.

July 6, 2017 - The Washington Post

California

California's Birth Rate Drops to Lowest in Recorded History

Fewer babies are being born in the nation's most populous state, now estimated at 39.4 million residents, according to new data by the California Department of Finance. The state grew by .75 percent, adding 295,000 people in the year ending July 1.

December 21, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Immigration

Hispanic Population Growth and Dispersion Slowed Since 2007

A comprehensive study on Latino population growth in the U.S. has been released by Pew Research Center based on a study of 2007-2014 census data. Two factors are responsible for the slowing growth: reduced fertility and immigration rates.

September 12, 2016 - Pew Research Center

Washington Redskins Fans

Explained: D.C. Gains '1,000 New Residents Every Month'

Officials and residents in Washington, D.C. are often heard saying that the District is gaining 1,000 new residents every month. But what does it mean?

May 22, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

California's Moderate Population Growth: The New Normal

New demographic data released Dec. 11 by the state Department of Finance shows the state grew by 335,000 people to 38.5 million, nearly one percent, despite a declining birth rate. While the most in six years, the growth rate has slowed overall.

December 13, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

China's Baby Bust

When China relaxed its rigid one-child policy last November, health officials were expecting an additional two million births to result. As of Sept. 30, they have received only 804,000 applications from eligible couples.

November 11, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

New Statistics Reveal Post-Recession Paradigms of Population Growth

Governing takes a closer look at the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent population estimates to reveal the data behind the country’s shifted migration patterns and present some ideas about what’s driving the new migration paradigms.

February 5, 2014 - Governing

Density Is the New Fertility Bogeyman

Joel Kotkin's muddle-headed theory on babies and urban living is aimed at blocking housing choice for young families, argues Robert Steuteville.

September 12, 2013 - Better! Cities & Towns

Dramatic U.S. Fertility Decline Appears to be Stabilizing

The U.S. fertility rate has declined 9% since the onset of the recession in 2007, with births declining every year. The decrease appears to have leveled off last year, a sign of an improved economy, though the change varied among age and race groups.

September 10, 2013 - The New York Times - Health

Is It OK Now to Have More Babies?

For those concerned about world population, a new study from Spain rebuts prior studies, including the U.N. 2011 report that project population reaching 10 billion by 2100. The new report projects it peaking at 8 billion in 2050, then declining.

April 9, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

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