New York City’s Population Flat After Drop in Immigration

Newly released census data shows that from June 2024 to July 2025, the number of new residents who were international immigrants dropped by 70 percent compared to a year before.
By Winnie Hu and Jeff Adelson
March 26, 2026

In the wake of stricter federal immigration and border policies, there has been a steep decrease in newcomers from other countries making their home in New York City, according to new census data released Thursday.

The drop-off in migration from abroad was the largest in the country and — along with more New Yorkers leaving for other places — halted the recent growth of the city’s population and blunted its post-pandemic recovery.

New York City had 8.58 million residents in July 2025, or 12,200 fewer residents than the year before, according to the new estimates. That was well below its peak of nearly 8.8 million residents reached in early 2020.

New York has long relied on a steady influx of new residents from abroad to replace those who leave.

The new estimates cover the 12 months before July 2025, a period that saw a national decline in immigration that started with tighter border policies under the Biden administration and continued with the Trump administration’s crackdown.

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The city’s three largest boroughs each saw declines in their populations, led by Queens, with 8,900 fewer residents; Brooklyn, with 4,700 fewer residents; and Manhattan, with 650 fewer residents. However, Staten Island gained 1,700 residents, and the Bronx gained 280 residents.