List of U.S. states and territories by population

Map of each state's population as of 2007

Map of population change in US states between July 2007 and July 2008.
Legend:

<-0.5%      <-0.25%      <0%      <0.25%

<0.5%      <0.75%      <1.0%      <1.25%

<1.5%      <1.75%      <2.0%      >2.0%

This is a list of U.S. states by population (with inhabited non-state jurisdictions included for comparison) as of July 1, 2009, according to the 2009 estimates of the United States Census Bureau. The total population of the United States was 281,421,906 at the 2000 Census. As of July 1, 2009, the estimated population of the 50 states and District of Columbia was 307,006,550. The nine most populous states contain slightly more than half of the total population. The 25 least populous states contain less than one-sixth of the total population.

Methodology

The United States Census counts most persons residing in the United States including citizens, non-citizen permanent residents, non-citizen long-term visitors.^[1] Civilian and military federal employees serving abroad and their dependents are counted in their home state.^[2]

Electoral apportionment

Based on data from the decennial census, each state is allocated a proportion of the 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, although each state is guaranteed a minimum of one seat, regardless of population. The Electoral College is the body that, every four years, elects the president and vice president of the United States. Each state's representation in the Electoral College is equal to that state's total number of members in both houses of the United States Congress. The Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution grants the District of Columbia, which is separate from any state, three votes. More precisely, it gets as many votes in the Electoral College as it would have if it were a state, but no more votes than the state with the fewest votes, which is currently three (e.g. Wyoming). Thus, the total representation in the College is 538 members (equal to 100 senators plus 435 representatives, plus 3 members for the District of Columbia).^[3] The 11 most populous states, representing 56% of the population, have a majority of the Electoral College votes, enough to elect the president.

States and territories

Pie chart of U.S. states and territories by 2008 population estimates.^[4]

Wake Island has fewer than 300 occupants, mainly related to activities of the United States Air Force, none of whom are considered permanent residents.^[10][11] All other insular areas under the sovereignty of the United States are uninhabited.

See also

• List of U.S. states by population density
• List of United States cities by population
• List of Canadian provinces and territories by population
• List of European Union Member States by population

References

General

• "2009 Census estimates". U. S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/popest/states/NST-ann-est.html. Retrieved 2010-08-13. 
• "2000 Census population, area and density results". U. S. Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bf/_lang=en_vt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_GCTPH1R_US9S_geo_id=01000US.html. Retrieved 2010-08-13. 

Specific

United States state-related lists Demographics Area · Elevation · Largest cities · Population (Growth rate) (Density) (Spanish-speaking) Economy GDP (per capita)  · Human Development Index · Minimum wage · Poverty · Tax Levels (State) (Federal)  · Unemployment rate Energy and Envr. Carbon dioxide emissions · Renewable electricity production · Superfund sites Health Hospitals · Life expectancy · Obesity Law and crime Alcohol laws · Consent · Incarceration rate · Same-sex marriage laws (status)  · Smoking bans · State Laws Misc. Abbreviations · Capitals · Capitol buildings · Counties · Date of statehood · FIPS code · Incarceration rate · Insignia · Name etymologies · Never territories · Tallest buildings · Time zone