1990 State Populations

**Steady population increase.**

The United States population in 1990 reached approximately 248.7 million, continuing its upward trajectory, but more significantly, the decade underscored a profound and enduring demographic realignment characterized by the continued ascendance of the Sun Belt regions. States across the South and West, such as California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Arizona, experienced robust growth, driven by job creation in new industries, a more agreeable climate, and a perceived lower cost of living, thereby solidifying a trend that had begun decades earlier. Conversely, many states in the Northeast and Midwest, particularly those in the traditional "Rust Belt" like New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, saw slower growth or even slight declines in population, as manufacturing jobs continued to ebb and residents sought opportunities elsewhere. This internal migration was augmented by a significant wave of international immigration, primarily from Latin America and Asia, which contributed substantially to the national population increase and began to reshape the nation's ethnic and cultural landscape, particularly in gateway cities and Sun Belt states, marking 1990 as a critical juncture reflecting a dynamic interplay of domestic movement and international influx.

Data Source: US Census Bureau