What are the fastest-growing state populations?

One of the buzzwords since Trump became president is “growth.” He’s made ridiculous promises about economic growth that he can’t possibly make good on.

But let’s take a look at another type of growth that affects us all: population growth, specifically in the continental U.S.

It should be no surprise that very high-cost states like New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, and Hawaii are NOT growing very fast. Southern Florida isn’t growing as fast as the northern half due to higher costs of living.

And people generally tend to move away from colder Northeastern and Midwestern states to the warmer Southeast and Southwest. But, that doesn’t mean that all warm states are growing like gangbusters … or that all cold states aren’t.

Here’s the map that summarizes growth by state for July 1, 2016, to July 1, 2017:

As you can see, Idaho is growing the fastest at 2.20 percent annualized.

The other top 10 also include:

• Nevada, 2.00 percent;
• Utah, 1.89 percent;
• Washington State, 1.71 percent;
• Florida, 1.59 percent;
• Arizona, 1.56 percent;
• Texas, 1.43 percent;
• Colorado, 1.39 percent,
• Oregon, 1.39 percent; and
• South Carolina at 1.30 percent.

I would have thought Texas and North Carolina would have been higher. Washington State also surprised on the upside as Seattle is becoming Silicon Valley 2.0.

Nine states, ranging from Wyoming to Connecticut, have negative growth rates. Mississippi and Louisiana are negative, despite being in the South. New Mexico is also surprisingly low, being surrounded by four high-growth states.

Where you live will affect business growth and real estate values. So, consider that, especially if you’re retiring. Idaho, Nevada, Washington, Florida and Arizona look like the best places to go to me.

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DISCLAIMER: This article expresses my own ideas and opinions. Any information I have shared are from sources that I believe to be reliable and accurate. I did not receive any financial compensation in writing this post, nor do I own any shares in any company I’ve mentioned. I encourage any reader to do their own diligent research first before making any investment decisions.

(Featured image via DepositPhotos.)