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FACT BRIEF

Was Nevada the least populous state until 1960?

By Todd Butterworth
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NO

Nevada was the least populous state in the 1900 U.S. Census. Alaska gained this distinction in the 1910 census and retained it until 1990. Since 1990, Wyoming has been the least populous state.

Nevada became the fastest-growing state between the 1960 and 1970 censuses and remained so for five decades. Utah, Idaho, Texas, and North Dakota surpassed Nevada in growth rate between the 2010 and 2020 censuses.

While Nevada became the fastest-growing state in the 1960s, the growth trend in western states also helped California surpass New York in population at that time; California has remained the most populous state since. Texas and Florida have also surpassed New York in population.

Several states have claimed the title of slowest growing (or fastest shrinking) since 1900. However, West Virginia has had this distinction in four censuses, the most of any state. 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Google Docs US Census Data, 1900-2020
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The Nevada Independent
The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.