What does this natural change rate ranking show?

It orders states by Births minus deaths per 1,000 residents. It is a comparison of this one published measure, not an overall ranking of where to live.

Where do these figures come from?

U.S. Census Bureau supplies this measure. States without a comparable published value are shown as not ranked rather than estimated.

How should I use this ranking?

Use it to narrow a search, then open a state or county profile for the underlying figures, source dates and caveats. A statewide number may not describe every neighbourhood.

Lowest natural change rate by state

Births minus deaths per 1,000 residents.

This measure has no better end. The order describes the states, it does not rank them — see the other direction.

Births minus deaths per 1,000 residents, before anyone moves. Negative means the population would shrink without arrivals. Use the annual raw count beside it when place size itself matters.

How to read this ranking

West Virginia has the lowest published natural change rate in this comparison, at -4. The next states shown are Maine (-4) and Vermont (-3).

The table orders 51 states by births minus deaths per 1,000 residents. It describes one published measure, not an overall judgment about where to live.

Use the result as a starting point, then compare the underlying source, dates, and local county figures before making a decision. Births minus deaths per 1,000 residents, before anyone moves. Negative means the population would shrink without arrivals. Use the annual raw count beside it when place size itself matters.

Related migration rankings

Frequently asked questions

What does this ranking show?: It orders states by Births minus deaths per 1,000 residents. It is one measure, not an overall verdict on where to live.
Where do the figures come from?: U.S. Census Bureau. States without a comparable published figure are listed as not ranked rather than estimated.
How should I use it?: Use it to narrow your search, then open a state or county profile for the source date, caveats and local context.

Put this map on your own site

Free to use. The chart names its source and links back, so it stays honest wherever it ends up.

<iframe src="https://movermath.com/embed/natural-change-rate" width="100%" height="420" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Births minus deaths per 1,000 residents by state"></iframe>

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. · How this is built

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