School choice states top US population growth list, led by Florida, Texas, Utah

The three fastest-growing states in the U.S. all share a common edge: expansive school choice programs unleashing educational freedom.

Florida, Texas and Utah gained the most population between 2023 and 2024, according to U.S. Census data. All three states are also solidly Republican.

The one-year American Community Survey found every state except West Virginia gained population, but the biggest gainers had major school choice programs.

In fourth and fifth place were Nevada – a purple state with a Democratic Legislature and a Republican governor – and New Jersey, a blue state that may see its governorship flip red in the Nov. 4 election. Neither state has broad school choice, although lawmakers have made efforts to pass or expand programs.

In sixth through eighth place were Arizona, South Carolina and North Carolina – all school choice states – giving states with educational freedom six of the top eight spots on the growth list.

The survey also found only two states were getting younger demographically – Iowa and South Carolina – both having more children under the age of 5 than previously. Iowa offers universal school choice, and South Carolina has launched a program that is expanding toward universal access, giving families in those states more control over their children’s education. 

Florida, the only state to see its population grow by more than 3%, is the nation’s leader in school choice with more than 500,000 participants across its various programs and 51% of students educated outside traditional public schools. 

The correlation of school choice and population growth was not seen everywhere. West Virginia, the lone state to lose population, also has broad school choice but has struggled with population decline, primarily for economic reasons.