Across the 50 states, Washington DC, and territories like Puerto Rico, the distribution of the United States population is notably uneven. Bordering states emerge as the most densely populated, whether they lie along the West Coast (California), the East Coast (New York, Florida, and arguably Pennsylvania), or the southern border (Texas, and once again, Florida). Conversely, states nestled in the heartland, such as those within the Great Plains and Midwest, exhibit lower population densities. Exceptions, however, defy the norm; consider Illinois, situated amidst the Great Lakes, boasting the sixth-largest population nationwide, despite its Midwest positioning
The least populous state in the United States is Wyoming.
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List of Least Populated States In US 2024
Wyoming, holding the title of the least populous state, harbours a population of fewer than 600,000 residents. Its annual growth rate has, at times in the past, exhibited a trend towards negativity. Here is the complete list:
| Rank | State | 2024 Population | Growth rate | 2023 Population |
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,405,105 | 0.22% | 1,402,054 |
| 2 | Maine | 1,402,106 | 0.46% | 1,395,722 |
| 3 | Montana | 1,142,746 | 0.88% | 1,132,812 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,098,082 | 0.19% | 1,095,962 |
| 5 | Delaware | 1,044,321 | 1.21% | 1,031,890 |
| 6 | South Dakota | 928,767 | 1.03% | 919,318 |
| 7 | North Dakota | 788,940 | 0.64% | 783,926 |
| 8 | Alaska | 733,536 | 0.02% | 733,406 |
| 9 | Vermont | 647,818 | 0.06% | 647,464 |
| 10 | Wyoming | 586,485 | 0.42% | 584,057 |
Alaska, despite its vast expanse, clinches its position as the third-least-populated state, hosting a meagre 740,339 residents as of 2023. This renders Alaska a mere 0.22% contributor to the overall US population, maintaining an unparalleled population density of approximately one person per square mile—six times lower than the state with the next-highest density, Wyoming (with 6 people/mi²).
According to the National Centre for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, Alaska distinguishes itself with a notable demographic feature: it accommodates 8,748 military veterans per 100,000 residents, securing the highest percentage of veterans among all states in the US. Despite this honour, Alaska grapples with the unfortunate distinction of having the highest rate of gun violence among all US states. On a brighter note, the state takes pride in holding the second-cleanest air quality and the lowest income inequality rankings nationwide.
