By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Virginia and Maryland both added a modest number of residents over the past year, according to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
In Virginia, the state’s population reached 8,880,107 residents as of July 1, 2025, up from 8,819,642 a year earlier. That is an increase of 60,465 people, or about 0.69%, over the past year.
The new figures also show Virginia has moved past its pandemic-era slowdown. Since 2020, the state’s population has grown by roughly 2.81%, reflecting a gradual recovery after several years of slower growth early in the decade.
Those gains came from a mix of new births and people moving into the state. Over the past year, Virginia recorded 92,070 births and 78,253 deaths, resulting in a natural change of 13,817 people.
Migration played an even larger role. Census data show Virginia added 46,704 people through migration, with most of that growth coming from international migration. Domestic migration also contributed, though to a lesser extent.
Maryland’s growth followed a different path, with migration playing a larger role than births.
Census estimates show Maryland added 20,033 residents between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, a much smaller increase than Virginia. Census data show the state recorded 65,090 births and 53,646 deaths, resulting in a natural change of 11,444 people.
Maryland still grew because more people moved in than moved out. Census data show the state added 8,376 residents through migration, largely driven by international arrivals, even as domestic migration resulted in a net loss of residents to other states.
Taken together, the numbers show both states continuing to add residents, but in different ways.
Virginia’s population growth reflects a rebound from pandemic-era stagnation, supported by both births and migration, while Maryland’s gains were driven more heavily by migration.