Columbia, South Carolina, Taylor Street, downtown revitalization, business district restored buildings and church. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
\n\nA new look at recent population changes in the United States shows a definite pattern in where people choose to live. All five states that top the leaderboard for population growth sit either in the South or the Rocky Mountains.
\n\nBetween 2024 and 2025, the population of South Carolina ticked up by 1.46% and edged out Idaho by two-hundredths of a percentage point. The Palmetto State was joined by its Carolina neighbor to the north, which went up by 1.32%, according to new numbers from SmartAsset.
\n\nAt the other end of the spectrum was Vermont, which had the largest year-to-year population drop, falling 0.29%. Only five states, including California, saw declines, the figures show.
\n\nIn addition to having the largest decline, Vermont had one of the highest median ages. In fact, the three oldest states on the financial services company’s list were in that northern tip of New England, with Maine having the grayest population and New Hampshire tying with Vermont for second place.
\n\nUtah had, by far, the youngest population on the list. Its median age of…
Original source: https://www.livenowfox.com/tag/science