U.S. metro area growth slowed to 0.6% in 2025 due to reduced immigration and hurricanes.

U.S. metropolitan area growth slowed in 2025, with the average rate dropping from 1.1% to 0.6% due to a sharp decline in international immigration. Border cities like Laredo, Texas, and Yuma, Arizona, saw steep drops, while Florida’s Gulf Coast counties lost residents after hurricanes. Despite these losses, some areas like Ocala, Florida, led in growth, and domestic migration fueled increases in far-flung suburbs.