The current population of the United States is approximately just over 300 million people. The United States has the third largest population in the world, yet only a mere 5% of the world’s population resides in the United States.

The year 1790 brought the first census of the United States. At that time, there were not even 4 million people in the country. Thereafter, each 100 million mark was consistently reached faster than the last. It is estimated that the United States will reach 400 million people in 2043.

Fertility and immigration rates have a large impact on population size. The fertility rate in the United States is 2.1 children per woman, a fairly stable and modest zero-growth population growth fertility rate, especially compared to the rest of the world. Immigration has a greater impact on population growth since every 29 seconds an immigrant is gained in the United States.

Current population maps of the United States reveal where residents choose to live. The highest density areas include the Los Angeles/Orange County area with more than 10,000,000 people overall, as well as on the other side of the country, in the New York City/Tri State metropolitan area, as well. with more than 10,000,000 residents. Slightly less popular but still with a resident base of between 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 residents include areas such as the San Francisco Bay area, Providence Rhode Island area, Detroit Michigan area, Washington DC area and the Chicago, Illinois area.

Between 2.5 million and 5 million people choose to live in populated mid-range areas such as San Diego, California, Seattle, Washington, Phoenix, Arizona, St. Louis, Missouri, Dallas/Forth Worth Texas, Houston, Miami, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia and Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota.

People who choose to live in areas with 1.5 to 2.5 million more include cities:

-Sacramento, Calif.
-Portland/Salem, Maine
-Denver, Colorado
-San Antonio, Texas
-Indianapolis, Indiana
-Kansas City, Missouri
-Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
-Orlando, Florida
-Tampa Bay/St. Saint Petersburg, Florida

The current population densities of the United States affect many aspects of life, including taxes, government, and electoral votes. Due to California’s enormous size and population, it is given 55 electoral votes, making it a necessary and incredibly important “win” state for any presidential candidate. Other states with large numbers of electoral votes include Florida, Illinois, New York, and Texas.

The United States saw a 13% jump in population during the 1990s. Ranking in population behind only China and India.

Although behind India in total population, the United States has a larger population of elderly people (80 years and older).

The US has fewer children under 5 in its population than Nigeria, even though the US has twice the population of Nigeria (Nigeria has a higher fertility rate).

The United States was not the only country that increased its population during the 1990s. China experienced an 11% jump, India a 19% jump, Nigeria a whopping 33% jump, and Indonesia a 19% jump.

There are many situations and circumstances faced by a country with an almost zero population growth rate. Health care for an increasing number of older people, as well as the distribution of work among a greater number of people in their prime working years, are concepts that must be handled and analyzed by government officials.