thumb|300px|Map of population change in US states between July 2007 and July 2008.
Legend:
This is a list of U.S. states by population (with inhabited non-state jurisdictions included for comparison) as of July 1, 2008, according to the 2008 estimates of the United States Census Bureau. The total population of the United States was 281,421,906 at the 2000 Census. As of July 1, 2008, the estimated population of the 50 states and District of Columbia was 304,059,724. The nine most populous states contain slightly more than half of the total population. The twenty-five least populated states contain less than one-sixth of the total population.

Methodology

The United States Census counts most persons residing in the United States including citizens, non-citizen permanent residents, non-citizen long-term visitors, and illegal aliens. Civilian and military Federal employees serving abroad and their dependents are counted in their home state.

Electoral apportionment

Based on data from the decennial census, each state is allocated a proportion of the 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, although each state is guaranteed a minimum of one seat, regardless of population. The Electoral College is the body that, every four years, elects the president and vice president of the United States. Each state's representation in the Electoral College is equal to that state's total number of members in both houses of the United States Congress. The Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution grants the District of Columbia, which is separate from any state, three votes. More precisely, it gets as many votes in the Electoral College as it would have if it were a state, but no more votes than the state with the fewest votes, which is currently three (e.g. Wyoming). Thus, the total representation in the College is 538 members (equal to 100 senators plus 435 representatives, plus 3 members for the District of Columbia). The 11 most populous states, representing 56% of the population, have a majority of the Electoral College votes, enough to elect the president.

States and territories

thumb|center|501px|Pie chart of U.S. states and territories by population by 2008 consensus.

See also

• United States Census

• List of United States cities by population

• List of Canadian provinces and territories by population

• List of European Union Member States by population