World Immigration News

(Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies)Declining Immigration Undermines Urban and Rural Population Growth

Release Date
2026-06-25
Media
Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies
Summary
A new State of the Nation’s Housing report finds that declining immigration is slowing U.S. population growth, making communities increasingly dependent on domestic migration and natural population change (births minus deaths). In 2025, immigration was the key factor preventing population decline in many areas. Without it, large urban counties would have lost population, rural counties would have seen almost no growth, and growth in suburban and smaller metropolitan areas would have been significantly reduced.

Population trends vary by region. Large metro urban counties continue to lose residents through domestic migration despite positive natural growth, while suburban and smaller metro counties benefit from both domestic in-migration and natural increase. Rural counties rely on domestic migration to offset natural population losses, though the balance differs by region.

The report also warns that domestic migration and natural population growth are weakening. Interstate migration has declined, birth rates remain low, and the Congressional Budget Office projects that natural population change will become negative nationwide by 2030. As all three drivers of population growth—immigration, domestic migration, and natural increase—slow, large urban and rural counties are expected to face the greatest challenges, including weaker housing demand.
Tags
United States of America

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