Wyoming’s Steady Population Growth Reflects Migration Trends and Economic Factors

Wyoming’s population continues to grow at a moderate pace, reaching 587,618 residents in July 2024, according to the latest US Census Bureau estimates, Oil City News reports.

This marks an annual increase of 2,551 people, or 0.4%, slightly lower than the 0.5% growth recorded in 2023.

Population changes arise from two main factors: natural change (births minus deaths) and net migration (the balance of people moving in versus out). In the past year, Wyoming recorded a natural increase of 403 people, based on 6,037 births and 5,634 deaths. Net migration added 2,146 residents, as more people moved to Wyoming than left.

Though net migration continues to play a significant role, its numbers have tapered off compared to previous years. Wyoming’s net migration was 3,000 in 2022 and 2,778 in 2023.

Nationally, the US population reached 340.1 million in 2024, representing a 1% growth rate—the fastest since 2001—largely fueled by international migration. Wyoming’s growth rate, though modest, aligns with national trends as the state experienced its seventh-lowest growth rate among all states in 2024.

While three states—Mississippi, Vermont, and West Virginia—saw population declines, Wyoming’s neighboring states experienced faster growth rates, reflecting broader regional migration patterns.

Dr. Wenlin Liu, chief economist with Wyoming’s Economic Analysis Division, highlighted the shifting dynamics of natural population change. While births once outpaced deaths by significant margins, the natural increase has declined sharply in recent years. For instance, Wyoming’s natural change of 403 in 2024 is a fraction of the 1,446 recorded in 2019 or the 3,015 a decade ago.

This decline is attributed to aging baby boomers and a falling fertility rate, which has reduced the contribution of births to population growth compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Wyoming has also seen shifts in migration trends. From 2014 to 2019, the state experienced negative net migration due to an energy sector downturn. However, net migration turned positive as people sought Wyoming’s lower cost of living and less densely populated areas during the pandemic. This trend, while slowing nationwide, remains a factor in Wyoming.

Wyoming’s economic performance supports its modest population growth. The state’s unemployment rate stood at 2.9% in June 2024, the lowest since 2008 and significantly better than the national average of 4.1%. Growth in the construction industry and government sectors helped offset declines in mining employment, contributing to a 0.9% year-over-year increase in total employment.