The Denver area’s population is still climbing, though the pace is slowing as international migration pulls back and more residents leave for other states.

The market’s population grew by 0.4% from July 2024 to July 2025, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The population for the 10-county metropolitan area now stands at 3.09 million.

Denver maintained its spot as the 19th-largest metropolitan area, ranking just behind San Diego, California, and ahead of Orlando, Florida.

While Denver continues to grow, the pace noticeably cooled in 2025. The Mile High City gained 10,945 people between July 2024 and July 2025, down from the 49,814 residents added a year prior.

Natural population change remained a consistent source of support. Births exceeded deaths by about 14,000 people last year, marking the strongest gains recorded since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

International migration, largely from South and Central America, has driven most of Denver’s population growth in recent years, peaking at 40,498 arrivals in 2024. However, those gains slowed to 11,480 arrivals in 2025.

Domestic migration continues to be the primary drag on population growth. Losses accelerated in 2025, with roughly 14,600 residents leaving Denver for other metropolitan areas or states.

Denver’s domestic migration grew rapidly in the years following the Great Recession, as the market was seen as an attractive alternative to expensive coastal areas. But after the pandemic broke out, Denver lost its relative affordability, as the cost of living increased. As a result, fewer people are moving to the area.

Slower population growth has implications for Denver’s housing and commercial real estate markets. Continued net outmigration may limit near-term demand growth, and the housing market has seen prices decline in the past year.

Similarly, multifamily rents remain under pressure as vacancies hover near record highs, according to CoStar data.

While population growth in Denver has slowed relative to the booming years following the Great Recession, the growth rate has consistently outpaced the national rate in every decade since the 1930s.