The historical analysis, published July 21, 2026, does not provide a new full count of the foreign-born population for 2026. Instead, it traces how the population has changed over time and how the countries of origin represented in the United States have shifted.

A population measured across generations and immigration categories

The Census Bureau’s definition of the foreign-born population includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, temporary migrants, refugees, asylees and unauthorized migrants. The categories describe birthplace and migration status; foreign-born status should not be treated as synonymous with unauthorized immigration.

The bureau’s historical review reaches back to the 1850 Census, the first census to collect birthplace information for the free population. It shows that the foreign-born population’s share of the United States has changed substantially over time. In 1970, foreign-born residents accounted for 4.7% of the population.

The analysis also documents changes in the countries of origin represented among foreign-born residents. The bureau’s findings provide historical context for understanding how migration has contributed to changes in the country’s population composition, rather than presenting a single snapshot of current immigration.

Net international migration is slowing

The bureau separately reported that net international migration fell in every state and most counties in its March 2026 population-estimates release. That finding does not mean every state experienced a population decline. It describes a reduction in the net contribution of international migration to population change.

In an earlier population-growth release, the Census Bureau reported that the U.S. population grew by 1.8 million people, or 0.5%, between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. The agency attributed much of the slowdown to a decline in net international migration, which fell from 2.7 million to 1.3 million over the period covered by that release.

The estimates are built from population components including births, deaths and migration. The bureau also says it uses administrative data to benchmark immigration among people born outside the United States.

Why the numbers matter

Migration is a major driver of U.S. population growth. Changes in the pace and composition of migration can affect the supply of workers, school enrollment, housing demand, health systems and political representation.

The national picture does not automatically describe conditions in every community. The Census Bureau’s finding that net international migration declined across every state and most counties is a broad estimate of change, while the July 21 analysis is primarily historical and explanatory. The cited analysis does not include a precise 2026 foreign-born total or a state-by-state demographic breakdown.

That distinction matters for readers and policymakers seeking to understand current population trends. The historical report explains how the foreign-born population has developed over more than a century, while the population-estimates program measures the components contributing to more recent growth or slowdown.

Next release is scheduled for December

The next national and state population estimates based on July 1, 2026 data are scheduled for release in December 2026. Those figures are expected to provide a newer benchmark for population change, but they are not yet available.

Until then, the Census Bureau’s published material offers two related pieces of evidence: a long-term account of how the foreign-born population has changed in size and origin, and a more recent indication that net international migration has slowed broadly across the country.