Nebraska Surpasses 2 Million Population Mark Thanks to International Migration

Nebraska’s population has officially exceeded 2 million, driven largely by a surge in international migration over the past year

Nebraska Surpasses 2 Million Population Mark Thanks to International Migration
Nebraska Surpasses 2 Million Population Mark Thanks to International Migration

Omaha: Nebraska has hit a big milestone, surpassing 2 million residents. This jump is mainly thanks to a notable increase in international migrants. As of July, the state’s population stands at about 2,005,465.

In just one year, Nebraska welcomed around 17,601 new residents. That’s a growth rate of 0.88%, making it the 17th fastest-growing state in the country. Josie Schafer from the Center for Public Affairs Research shared that this growth is better than what many expected.

Interestingly, nearly 13,000 of those new residents came from other countries. This number more than doubled from the previous year, showing a significant shift in international migration patterns.

However, Schafer noted that this increase is more about changes in how the Census Bureau tracks data rather than a sudden influx of newcomers. The new methods have led to higher estimates for international migration across the U.S.

While Nebraska’s international migration is on the rise, it still ranks 19th among states in terms of percentage growth. States like Florida and California are seeing much larger numbers.

On the local front, Nebraska’s natural growth, which is births minus deaths, added about 6,000 new residents this year. This is a positive sign, especially since the state has a younger population.

However, domestic migration shows a slight decline, with about 1,500 people moving out of the state. This trend has been ongoing for a while now.

Business leaders, like Bryan Slone from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, believe that the increase in the foreign-born population is crucial for the state’s economy. With many job vacancies, immigration will play a key role in filling those positions.

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