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.

The midtown Manhattan skyline is pictured from the top of the Empire State Building in New York City on March 3, 2026. Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images

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 also greatly diminished, according to new Census Bureau data.

The 56 metropolitan areas with more than 1 million residents received nearly 1 million immigrants in the 12 months ending in June 2025. That is down from more than 2 million the year before.