Growth rate slowed in US metro areas in 2025, with steepest drops along the southern border - AP News

U.S. metropolitan areas experienced slower population growth in 2025, with the most significant declines occurring in regions near the southern border. The slowdown represents a shift from recent years of robust metro expansion and suggests changing migration patterns that may reflect broader demographic and economic shifts. Border-region metros, which had been growth engines in previous decades, are now losing residents at rates outpacing other parts of the country. This reversal carries implications for local economies, real estate markets, and political representation tied to population distribution. The trend underscores how national policy and economic conditions are reshaping where Americans choose to live.