2010 State Populations

**Continued US Population Growth (2010 Census).**

In 2010, the United States population stood at approximately 308.7 million people, as enumerated by the decennial census, reflecting a continued trend of steady growth since the previous census in 2000. Historically, the late 20th and early 21st centuries witnessed a profound demographic shift towards the "Sun Belt" states, and by 2010, this trend was firmly entrenched; states across the South (e.g., Texas, Florida, Georgia) and West (e.g., California, Arizona, Nevada) experienced robust growth due to both internal migration from colder, older industrial regions and significant international immigration. Conversely, many states in the Northeast and Midwest, often referred to as the "Rust Belt," continued to see slower growth or even population stagnation and decline in some areas, reflecting economic restructuring and outward migration trends that began decades earlier. The nation as a whole was also becoming increasingly diverse, with rapid growth in Hispanic and Asian populations particularly notable, a continuation of demographic shifts that had reshaped the country since the mid-20th century.

Data Source: US Census Bureau