Population in Perspective

Population size and population growth tell different stories. Scan the table, select a state for a short summary, or use the guided comparisons below.

Select a column title for a quick explanation of that column.

Ten largest states

2020 rank
1	39,538,223	37,253,956	+2,284,267	+6.1%	1
2	29,145,505	25,145,561	+3,999,944	+15.9%	2
3	21,538,187	18,801,310	+2,736,877	+14.6%	4
4	20,201,249	19,378,102	+823,147	+4.2%	3
5	13,002,700	12,702,379	+300,321	+2.4%	6
6	12,812,508	12,830,632	−18,124	−0.1%	5
7	11,799,448	11,536,504	+262,944	+2.3%	7
8	10,711,908	9,687,653	+1,024,255	+10.6%	9
9	10,439,388	9,535,483	+903,905	+9.5%	10
10	10,077,331	9,883,640	+193,691	+2.0%	8

Resident population on April 1 of each census year. The ten states shown had the highest 2020 counts. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Table E. Percentages are rounded by the Census Bureau.

Select a state name to see its population change and rank in one sentence.

Two ways to read the table

The biggest state did not add the most people

California remained first in 2020 with 39.5 million residents. Texas stayed second, but added almost 4 million people during the decade—about 1.7 million more than California. Compare the 2020 count and numeric change columns to see why population size and added population are different rankings.

Growth changed the order

New York was third in 2010 and Florida was fourth. Florida grew by 14.6%, compared with New York's 4.2%, and moved ahead by 2020. Follow their percent change and rank cells to see the switch.

Glossary

Click on a term to see its meaning.

Resident population: The count of people whose usual home was in a state on Census Day, April 1. It is different from the apportionment population, which also assigns some people overseas to states.
Numeric change: The number of residents gained or lost between 2010 and 2020. Subtract the 2010 count from the 2020 count.
Percent change: Numeric change as a share of the 2010 population. It helps compare growth across states with different starting populations.
Population rank: A state's place among the 50 states when ordered by resident population. Rank 1 is the most populous.
Decennial census: The U.S. Census Bureau's count made every ten years. This page compares the 2010 and 2020 counts, not estimates for the years between or after them.