Some states have a high population density and many population centers, while others are mostly rural and may have little population. The difference between the top and bottom states in terms of population is enormous.
According to the World Population Review, these are the top 15 states in terms of population.
California
The massive state of California is the most populous in the U.S. In 2024, it has 38.88 million residents. It has fallen in population by 0.19% from its 2023 numbers. California alone has about 11.58% of the American population.
Texas
The sheer size of Texas has led to a sizable population as well as a low rate of population density. It has 30.97 million people and a population density of just 119 per square mile.
Florida
With 22.97 million people in 2024 and a 1.62% population gain from the previous year, the state is growing fast. People are heading for milder temperatures from all over the country. It has a high population density of 428 people per square mile.
New York
The home of the largest city in the country, it’s no wonder that the state of New York has such a large population. It has 19.46 million people as of 2024. Its population makes up 5.8% of the U.S. population.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has had a small year-over-year reduction in population of 0.08%. The population of the state is now 12.95 million. This gives it a population density of 289 per square mile.
Illinois
With large population centers, the population of this Midwestern state is 12.51 million. Illinois residents make up about 3.73% of the country’s population. The state has a population density of 225.
Ohio
Another highly populated Midwest state is Ohio with a 2024 population of 11.81 million. The population has increased by 0.22% over its 2023 numbers. It has a population density of 289.
Georgia
The Peach State has a total of 11.14 million people, and it’s growing. In 2024, the state’s population grew by 1.05% over its 2023 population. It’s pretty roomy with its population density of 194.
North Carolina
The population of North Carolina has grown by 1.29% in 2024 over the previous year. It has a population of 10.97 million and a population density of 226. Since 2010, it has grown by almost 15%.
Michigan
This enormous state is home to 10.04 million people. It has a population density of just 178, so residents have that elbow room. The state’s population is growing slowly with a year-over-year increase in 2024 of 0.04%.
New Jersey
This state isn’t enormous in area, and it has 9.32 million living in it. That gives it a massive population density of 1,267 people per square mile. It’s grown 0.32% since 2023.
Virginia
Virginia grew by 0.42% from 2023 to 2024. The state has a population of 8.75 million people. It has a mid-range population density with 222 people for each square mile of area.
Washington
Washington state is growing slowly, and it currently has 7.84 million people. It’s grown more than 16% since 2010. It has a small population density of just 118 people for each square mile.
Arizona
As one of the largest states, it has a relatively low population. It has about 7.49 people and a very low population density of 66 per square mile. It’s grown by almost 1% since 2023.
Tennessee
With 7.2 million, Tennessee is the 15th most populous state. It has several sizable cities and a relatively low population density of 175 per square mile. It’s grown by more than 1% since 2023.
15 Countries That You Will Probably Regret Traveling To
There are some countries where the majority of visitors love their experience. However, there are other countries that people come back from and never recommend to anyone. These countries often have circumstances that make the trip miserable so that visitors can’t wait to leave and go home.
15 Countries That You Will Probably Regret Traveling To
15 Safest Countries for Women Traveling Alone
There are a lot of countries that women should avoid if they’re traveling solo. No matter where they go, solo women travelers should stay aware of their surroundings and make sure to take safety precautions. However, some countries are far safer than others, and these can make ideal places to visit alone.
15 Safest Countries for Women Traveling Alone
The 15 Poorest Cities in America
When it comes to cities in America, huge disparities exist. Some are doing much better financially than others. There are a lot of cities today that are struggling economically and coming up short in a few areas.
The 15 Poorest Cities in America