(Idaho Department of Labor Press Release, December 27, 2023)
The US Census estimates Idaho’s July 2023 population at 1,964,726 — an increase of 1.3% from July 2022 — ranking it 4th nationally in percentage growth. Despite ranking 17th in numerical growth and falling from its top-ten status of the past two years, Idaho still outpaces the national population growth rate.
Idaho’s population growth in 2023 was double the national average of 0.5%. The US added 1.6 million people, bringing its population estimate to 334,914,895 — higher than the growth rate of 0.4% in 2022 and 0.2% in 2021.
While most states experienced a population rebound from 2022 to 2023, only eight saw a decline — a contrast to the 18 declining states of 2021–2022.
Breaking down Idaho’s 2023 population growth reveals a shift, with 78% attributed to in-migration, primarily domestic, and 22% from natural change (births minus deaths). International migration increased from 5% in 2022 to 18% in 2023, with a significant increase in natural change.
Despite a slowdown in domestic migration from 2021, Idaho’s estimated increase of 15,389 still places it 4th in percentage change.
The US Census Bureau expects to release population estimates for Idaho’s metropolitan statistical areas, counties and cities in Spring 2024, with full tables accessible at https://lmi.idaho.gov/census after the New Year.
