As Americans continue to flee to the Southeast, the Yellowhammer State has become one of the nation’s top destinations.

According to estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau, Alabama added 24,450 residents over the course of one year. The state ranked 15th for the largest population increase in the nation.

From July 1, 2021 to July 2, 2022, the state grew 0.5% in population. Alabama’s one-year growth spurt is the single largest spike in population the state has experienced in more than a decade.

Boasting consumer-friendly economic climates, states in the southeastern U.S. boast the nation’s fastest-growing populations, with Texas and Florida leading the way in total numeric growth.

For its part, the newly released data shows that Alabama now holds in excess of 5,074,296 residents.

New York, California and Illinois rank as the nation’s top three states in population decline from 2021 to 2022. The progressive-leaning states each lost more than 100,000 residents over the one-year period.

The federal government’s official data reflect a study conducted last year that placed Alabama as being one of the nation’s top inbound states.

According to United Van Lines’ Annual Movers Study, Alabama was the sixth-most popular relocation destination in 2021. The moving and relocation company’s study cited the COVID-19 pandemic as being one of the primary driving forces behind Americans’ desires to move to lower-density areas of the nation.

The study found that of overall inbound and outbound moving in 2021, Alabama experienced 62.1% of inbound activity.

Aside from Florida, Alabama topped all bordering states as the most popular destination for movers. According to the study, more than 45% of respondents chose the state of Alabama due to job opportunities.

The study also noted that nearly 27% of individuals who moved to Alabama did so for family purposes. About 15% decided to retire to the state, with nearly 13% making the move for lifestyle enhancement.

Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL