USA Population & Demographics (Ethnicity & Immigration)

ByDavid J. Stuck Hours Posted on Hours Updated on
Map showing the USA flag and a pie chart representing population demographics and immigration in the country.

Worldlya • United States Profile

Population and Demographics of the USA
– Ethnicity, Immigration, Population Density

The United States is not only one of the most populous countries in the world – it is also one of the most
demographically complex. Understanding who lives in the USA, where they live, and how the population is changing is essential for anyone studying the country, planning to invest, or preparing to move there.

On this Worldlya country page, you will find a clear and practical overview of the USA’s
population size, ethnic and racial composition, immigration patterns and population density – all based on the latest official statistics and research.

Headline numbers

Estimated population (mid-2024):
around 340 million people, after the fastest annual growth in more than two decades.

Official 2024 estimate: about
340.1 million residents according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Diversity snapshot

The largest group is
White, non-Hispanic, making up
roughly 58 percent of the population in the 2020 Census.

Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, and Asian populations together account for a substantial and growing share of U.S. residents.

Space and settlement

Average population density: about
94 people per square mile (around 36 per square kilometre) in 2020 – low compared with many European or Asian countries.

Yet almost all growth is concentrated in
metropolitan areas, which now hold nearly 294 million people.

How big is the U.S. population today?

The population of the United States has passed the
340-million mark and continues to grow, although more slowly than in the late twentieth century. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2024 estimates put the national population at approximately
340.1 million people on July 1, 2024, up from about 336.8 million a year earlier.

Growth today is driven far more by
net immigration than by natural increase (births minus deaths). Recent Census analyses show that immigration has become the main engine of population growth after the pandemic, as birth rates remain relatively low.

In simple terms, the USA is:

  • One of the three most populous countries in the world, after India and China.
  • Growing modestly each year, but still faster than many European countries.
  • Increasingly shaped by immigration, urbanization and aging – rather than by high birth rates.

Ethnicity and Race in the United States

The USA uses a two-question approach in its census: one for Hispanic or Latino origin (an ethnicity), and another for race. People can select more than one race, so the picture is layered and nuanced.

Major population groups (2020 Census)

Exact values vary depending on whether you look at “race alone” or “race in combination”, but a simplified picture looks like this:

  • White (non-Hispanic): roughly the majority, at just under three-fifths of the population.
  • Hispanic or Latino (any race): close to one fifth of residents, and one of the fastest-growing groups.
  • Black or African American: around one in ten people nationally, with higher shares in the South and many major cities.
  • Asian: a smaller share overall, but rapidly expanding, particularly in coastal metropolitan areas.
  • American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and people of two or more races: smaller in percentage terms but highly significant in particular regions and communities.

Increasing diversity

Between 2010 and 2020, census data show that:

  • The share of White, non-Hispanic residents decreased, even as the total White-in-any-combination population remained very large.
  • Hispanic and Asian populations saw strong growth, accounting for a big share of national population increase.
  • The number of people reporting more than one race rose dramatically, reflecting more multiracial identities and improved census measurements.

For visitors and investors, this means that the “typical American” no longer has a single profile. From Spanish-speaking communities in Texas and California to Asian-American hubs in New Jersey or Washington state, the country’s cultural landscape is extremely varied.

Immigration and the Foreign-Born Population

The USA has long been a major destination for migrants. Recent data from the American Community Survey and independent analyses indicate that in 2023 there were about
47.8 million foreign-born residents, representing roughly
14 to 15 percent of the total population.

Where do immigrants in the USA come from?

The foreign-born population includes people with very different backgrounds and legal statuses: naturalized citizens, permanent residents, temporary visa holders and undocumented migrants. Overall, the largest origin regions are:

  • Latin America and the Caribbean – with Mexico remaining the single largest origin country.
  • Asia – notably India, China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Korea.
  • Europe, Africa and the Middle East – smaller in terms of total numbers but significant in many local communities.

These flows have reshaped the workforce, universities, and innovation hubs across the country.

Why immigration matters for population trends

  • Immigration compensates for lower birth rates among U.S.-born residents.
  • Many large metropolitan areas – such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Houston – would lose population without international migrants.
  • Immigrant communities help keep the labor force younger and more dynamic, which is important as the population ages.

For someone moving to the United States, this means you will rarely feel alone as a newcomer: in most cities there are well-established communities, language support services, and networks of earlier migrants from a wide range of countries.

Population Density and Where People Live

At the national scale, the USA looks “spacious”: around
94 residents per square mile on average in 2020, far lower than in many European or East Asian countries.

In reality, the population is very unevenly distributed:

High-density corridors

  • The Northeast “megalopolis” from Boston through New York City to Washington, D.C.
  • Southern California around Los Angeles and San Diego.
  • Florida’s coasts and parts of Texas (Dallas–Houston–San Antonio triangle).
  • Chicago and the Great Lakes region.

Low-density “empty” spaces

  • Mountain and desert states in the West (Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico).
  • Large rural areas of the Great Plains.
  • Alaska, with very few people across a vast territory.

The majority of Americans live in
metropolitan regions – areas built around one or more cities with extensive suburbs. Recent Census estimates show that nearly 294 million people reside in metro areas, compared with just over 340 million in the country as a whole.

Regional Demographic Differences

The South and West

  • Fast-growing regions, especially in states like Texas, Florida, Arizona and Nevada.
  • High shares of Hispanic and increasingly Asian populations, alongside established Black communities in the South.
  • Younger age structures in many metropolitan areas, partly due to domestic migration and immigration.

The Northeast and Midwest

  • Older industrial regions with slower growth or even population decline in some cities.
  • High diversity in major hubs like New York, Boston and Chicago, but more homogeneous populations in some rural areas.
  • Immigration plays a key role in stabilizing or reviving population in several metropolitan areas.

Rural America and small towns

  • Low population density, often dependent on agriculture, energy or single large employers.
  • In many counties, the population is aging and, in some cases, shrinking.
  • New immigrant communities, even if small, can have a big impact on local schools, services and culture.

How these demographic trends shape the USA

Economy and labor market

  • An aging native-born population increases demand for healthcare, pensions and care services.
  • Immigrants provide a large share of workers in technology, healthcare, agriculture, hospitality and more.
  • Population growth in Sun Belt states supports construction, retail and infrastructure expansion.

Cities, housing and infrastructure

  • Rapid growth in some metropolitan areas increases pressure on housing, transport and public services.
  • At the same time, smaller towns and rural counties may struggle with school closures and labor shortages due to declining populations.
  • Urban planning increasingly has to respond to diverse languages, cultures and family structures.

Everyday life for residents and newcomers

  • In most U.S. cities you will encounter a wide mix of languages, cuisines, religious traditions and cultural events.
  • Schools and universities are used to welcoming international students and children of immigrants.
  • Policies around voting, representation and local services are increasingly shaped by demographic data and debates.

When you look beyond the simple headline number of “how many people live in the USA”, you see a country whose identity is built on
migration, regional contrasts and demographic change. For travelers, students, workers or potential migrants, understanding these patterns helps you choose the right region, city and community for your own plans.

References

Similar Posts