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States With the Highest Birth Rates

States With the Highest Birth Rates

In the continuation of a longer-term trend stretching back over a decade, the number of births in the U.S. fell by 4% in 2020, pushing the birth rate to its lowest point on record. Experts attribute falling birth rates to the increase in the average age of mothers, as people have been marrying and having children later in life. A growing body of evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have deterred many would-be parents from starting families. 

As it has been since 2007, the U.S. birth rate is well below what is referred to as “replacement-level fertility,” the birth rate a country must maintain to keep population levels stable without immigration. This could prove to be a problem. Though it is impossible to predict the implications with any degree of certainty, an aging and shrinking population could slow economic growth, strain government funding, and lead to worker shortages. 

While birth rates are at historic lows nationwide, in some states, birth rates far exceed the national average of 10.8 births per 1,000 people. Using birth data over the one-year period ending on July, 1, 2021 from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Tempo identified the states with the highest birth rates. Birth rates range from as low as 7.9 per 1,000 to as high as 13.8 per 1,000, depending on the state. 

In all but two of the 15 states with the lowest birth rates, deaths outnumbered births from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021. Meanwhile, births outnumbered deaths in all but three of the 15 states with the highest birth rates. Births minus deaths, as well as migration — people moving in and out of a given state — are the factors that contribute to overall population change. Here is a look at the top city Americans are moving to

Generally, the states with the highest birth rates are mostly in the South, while those with the lowest are disproportionately located in the Northeast.

Methodology

To determine the states with the highest birth rates, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program. States were ranked based on the number of new births from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 per 1,000 residents. Data on total population change and population change due to natural growth — new births minus deaths — were also calculated using data from PEP.

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

50. Vermont
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 7.9 per 1,000 residents (5,057 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.8%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.5%
> Total population, July 2021: 645,570

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

49. New Hampshire
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 8.3 per 1,000 residents (11,414 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.8%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.8%
> Total population, July 2021: 1,388,992

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

48. Maine
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 8.3 per 1,000 residents (11,291 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.8%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.7%
> Total population, July 2021: 1,372,247

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

47. Rhode Island
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 8.9 per 1,000 residents (9,717 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.9%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 1,095,610

Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images

46. Connecticut
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 9.1 per 1,000 residents (32,671 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.9%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 3,605,597

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

45. Oregon
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 9.4 per 1,000 residents (39,877 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.9%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 4,246,155

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

44. Massachusetts
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 9.4 per 1,000 residents (66,197 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.9%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.5%
> Total population, July 2021: 6,984,723

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

43. West Virginia
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 9.6 per 1,000 residents (17,232 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.4%
> Total population, July 2021: 1,782,959

Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

42. Montana
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 9.7 per 1,000 residents (10,502 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.7%
> Total population, July 2021: 1,104,271

Source: Flavio Vallenari / iStock via Getty Images

41. Florida
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 9.7 per 1,000 residents (210,305 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population, July 2021: 21,781,128

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

40. Pennsylvania
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 9.9 per 1,000 residents (128,351 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.2%
> Total population, July 2021: 12,964,056

Source: JaySi / iStock via Getty Images

39. Michigan
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.2 per 1,000 residents (102,983 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.2%
> Total population, July 2021: 10,050,811

Source: William Reagan / iStock via Getty Images

38. Wisconsin
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.3 per 1,000 residents (60,404 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 5,895,908

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

37. New Jersey
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.3 per 1,000 residents (95,254 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 9,267,130

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

36. New Mexico
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.4 per 1,000 residents (21,996 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 2,115,877

Source: gregobagel / iStock via Getty Images

35. Delaware
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.4 per 1,000 residents (10,311 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.2%
> Total population, July 2021: 1,003,384

Source: JaySi / iStock via Getty Images

34. Illinois
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.4 per 1,000 residents (133,097 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.9%
> Total population, July 2021: 12,671,469

Source: GCShutter / E+ via Getty Images

33. New York
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.5 per 1,000 residents (210,640 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -1.6%
> Total population, July 2021: 19,835,913

Source: RudyBalasko / iStock via Getty Images

32. Colorado
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.5 per 1,000 residents (60,675 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.5%
> Total population, July 2021: 5,812,069

Source: aiisha5 / iStock via Getty Images

31. Washington
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.5 per 1,000 residents (81,193 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.3%
> Total population, July 2021: 7,738,692

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

30. Arizona
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.7 per 1,000 residents (76,497 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.4%
> Total population, July 2021: 7,276,316

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

29. South Carolina
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.7 per 1,000 residents (54,713 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.2%
> Total population, July 2021: 5,190,705

Source: Frederick Thelen / iStock via Getty Images

28. California
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.7 per 1,000 residents (424,333 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.7%
> Total population, July 2021: 39,237,836

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

27. Wyoming
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.8 per 1,000 residents (6,213 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.3%
> Total population, July 2021: 578,803

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

26. Virginia
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.8 per 1,000 residents (93,037 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 8,642,274

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

25. Maryland
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.8 per 1,000 residents (66,906 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 6,165,129

Source: photoquest7 / iStock via Getty Images

24. Nevada
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.9 per 1,000 residents (33,883 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.0%
> Total population, July 2021: 3,143,991

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

23. North Carolina
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.9 per 1,000 residents (114,011 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.9%
> Total population, July 2021: 10,551,162

Source: Nicholas Smith / iStock via Getty Images

22. Ohio
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 10.9 per 1,000 residents (128,595 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 11,780,017

Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images

21. Hawaii
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.0 per 1,000 residents (15,904 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.7%
> Total population, July 2021: 1,441,553

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

20. Minnesota
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.1 per 1,000 residents (63,065 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.0%
> Total population, July 2021: 5,707,390

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

19. Tennessee
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.2 per 1,000 residents (77,353 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.8%
> Total population, July 2021: 6,975,218

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

18. Missouri
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.2 per 1,000 residents (68,818 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.2%
> Total population, July 2021: 6,168,187

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

17. Alabama
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.2 per 1,000 residents (56,320 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.3%
> Total population, July 2021: 5,039,877

Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images

16. Iowa
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.2 per 1,000 residents (35,771 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 3,193,079

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

15. Kentucky
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.3 per 1,000 residents (50,725 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 4,509,394

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

14. Georgia
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.3 per 1,000 residents (121,269 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.7%
> Total population, July 2021: 10,799,566

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

13. Indiana
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.4 per 1,000 residents (77,598 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.3%
> Total population, July 2021: 6,805,985

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

12. Kansas
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.5 per 1,000 residents (33,670 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.0%
> Total population, July 2021: 2,934,582

Source: Seibel Photography LLC / iStock via Getty Images

11. Idaho
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.5 per 1,000 residents (21,316 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.2%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +2.9%
> Total population, July 2021: 1,900,923

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

10. Arkansas
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.6 per 1,000 residents (35,021 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.2%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.5%
> Total population, July 2021: 3,025,891

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

9. Mississippi
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.8 per 1,000 residents (34,957 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.2%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.2%
> Total population, July 2021: 2,949,965

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

8. Oklahoma
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 11.9 per 1,000 residents (47,125 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.2%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.6%
> Total population, July 2021: 3,986,639

Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images

7. Nebraska
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 12.0 per 1,000 residents (23,524 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.2%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 1,963,692

Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images

6. Louisiana
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 12.0 per 1,000 residents (55,942 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.2%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.6%
> Total population, July 2021: 4,624,047

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

5. South Dakota
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 12.2 per 1,000 residents (10,843 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.2%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.9%
> Total population, July 2021: 895,376

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

4. Texas
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 12.4 per 1,000 residents (362,450 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.2%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.1%
> Total population, July 2021: 29,527,941

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

3. North Dakota
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 12.6 per 1,000 residents (9,798 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.3%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: -0.5%
> Total population, July 2021: 774,948

Source: RobsonAbbott / iStock via Getty Images

2. Alaska
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 12.7 per 1,000 residents (9,280 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.3%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +0.0%
> Total population, July 2021: 732,673

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

1. Utah
> Births, July 2020 to July 2021: 13.8 per 1,000 residents (45,159 total)
> Population change due to new births, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.4%
> Total population change, July 2020 to July 2021: +1.7%
> Total population, July 2021: 3,337,975

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