How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Population Trends in the United States

My project examined how population trends changed in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. US Census Bureau showed that population growth was at a historic low for the United States during the pandemic. Additionally, international migration accounted for most of the population growth for the first time instead of natural change since at least 1950. Historically, population trends have shifted during public health crises and recessions. Multiple linear regression models were created for US states in the time frame of July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022 to find the relationship between COVID-19-related variables like COVID-19 case rate, COVID-19 vaccination rate, and mandatory mask mandate and each component of population change: birth rate, death rate, domestic migration rate, and international migration rate. There was a strong correlation between COVID-19 factors and international migration rate, medium correlation between COVID-19 factors and birth rate and between COVID-19 factors and death rate, and a weak correlation between COVID-19 factors and domestic migration rate. States with higher COVID-19 vaccination rates experienced lower death rates and higher net in-migration rates. With knowledge of how COVID-19 factors related to demographic trends in the United States, there is an understanding of why population trends shifted and how long-term population projections will be impacted.