The U.S. population in rural (nonmetropolitan) counties grew by more than 134,000 between 2023 and 2024, an increase of 0.29%.
Although the growth rate was lower than in urban (metropolitan) counties, which grew by 1.1%, rural populations have grown annually from 2020-24 after nearly a decade of population loss (percent change less than zero).
Population growth occurs from natural change (births minus deaths) and net migration (in-migration minus out-migration). Since 2017, rural counties have experienced more deaths than births, meaning that natural change has been negative for eight consecutive years. Net migration, however, has significantly increased, beginning in 2021, leading to overall population growth.
Between 2020 and 2024, deaths exceeded births by 563,550 and migration added 974,379 people to rural counties. About 69% of in-migration was due to domestic migration, while the remainder was due to international migration. — USDA Economic Research Service
