INDIANAPOLIS — Data collected in the 2020 Census noted that the U.S. population has grown at the slowest rate in 60 years, Population experts blame the slowing growth rate on three big trends: families across the country are aging and having fewer kids, immigration policies have tightened up American borders, and economic hardships extending all the way back to the dot-com crash have shifted priorities away from marriage and families. While some contributing factors are down across the board, other social and economic factors have disproportionately impacted specific counties and states, exacerbating the problems for certain areas.
In the Indianapolis metro area, the population increased 2.8% since 2015, and 6.8% since 2010, slightly higher than the national increase in population of 2.7% since 2015 and 6.5% since 2010. Marion County is now home to 966,183 people, in comparison to the 2010 Census of 904,604.
States that saw the largest drops in population include West Virginia (down 3.7%) and Illinois (down 2%). West Virginia and Illinois are among just seven states that recently lost a congressional seat as a result of the 2020 Census population estimates. Other states losing a seat include New York, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan.
For more information, visit www.census.gov