Immigrant Influx to Largest Cities Craters in 2025

A desire for better or cheaper housing has been the top reason for moving, followed by changes in family situation and employment.

Many mid-size metros have experienced phenomenal growth in recent years. Myrtle Beach, North Carolina (pictured), leads the pack with expansion of nearly 22 percent since 2020. Courtesy of Visit Myrtle Beach

Many large metro areas are facing population stagnation or even decline. Not only are they losing population to smaller cities, but the steady stream of immigrants that had kept them growing has greatly diminished, according to new Census Bureau data.

The 56 metropolitan areas with more than a million residents received nearly a million immigrants in the 12 months ending June 2025. That’s down from more than 2 million the year prior.