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Mexico States by Population: A Complete Ranking and Growth Analysis

Mexico is composed of 32 federal entities — 31 states plus Mexico City, the capital. According to the 2020 census, Mexico’s total population reached 126,014,024, up from 112,336,538 in 2010 — a decade of growth of roughly 12.18%. But that national figure conceals a much more interesting story: some states, particularly those riding tourism or manufacturing booms, grew by 20–40% in just ten years, while Mexico City itself grew by barely 4%. Here’s the complete state-by-state breakdown.

Mexico Total Population: 2020 vs. 2010

Full Ranking: Mexico States by Population Growth

Data source: City Population

México State and Mexico City: The Twin Population Core

The State of México is Mexico’s most populous entity, with 16,992,418 residents in 2020 — largely made up of sprawling suburbs and satellite cities surrounding the capital. Mexico City itself (Ciudad de México) ranks second with 9,209,944 people. Together, these two entities house over 26.2 million people — roughly 21% of the entire country’s population — forming one of the largest contiguous urban agglomerations in the Western Hemisphere.

Notably, Mexico City posted the slowest growth rate of any state in the entire country at just +4.05%, while the surrounding State of México grew nearly three times faster at +11.97%. This divergence reflects a well-documented pattern of urban decentralization: as Mexico City itself becomes saturated and increasingly expensive, population growth is spilling outward into the State of México’s suburbs and satellite municipalities, a dynamic similar to what’s driving growth in Istanbul’s satellite provinces or the outward sprawl seen around many global megacities.

Quintana Roo: Mexico’s Fastest-Growing State

No state in Mexico grew faster between 2010 and 2020 than Quintana Roo, home to Cancún and the Riviera Maya. Its population surged from 1,325,578 to 1,857,985 — an extraordinary +40.17% increase in just one decade. This explosive growth is directly tied to Quintana Roo’s tourism-driven economy, which has attracted enormous labor migration from across Mexico to service its hotels, resorts, and rapidly expanding real estate sector along the Caribbean coast.

Querétaro: The Industrial Boom State

Close behind is Querétaro, which grew by +29.57%, rising from 1,827,937 to 2,368,467 residents. Unlike Quintana Roo’s tourism-led growth, Querétaro’s expansion has been driven primarily by manufacturing and industrial investment — the state has become one of Mexico’s premier hubs for aerospace, automotive, and technology manufacturing, drawing both domestic migrants and significant foreign direct investment over the past two decades.

Nuevo León and Baja California Sur: Industry and Tourism Round Out the Top Growth Tier

Nuevo León, anchored by the industrial powerhouse of Monterrey, grew by +24.30%, reflecting its status as one of Mexico’s most important manufacturing and business centers with strong ties to U.S. trade and investment. Baja California Sur, home to the resort destination of Los Cabos, grew by +25.34% — another clear case of tourism-driven population growth along Mexico’s coastlines, mirroring the Quintana Roo pattern on the opposite side of the country.

The Slow Growers: Mexico City, Guerrero, and Veracruz

At the other end of the spectrum, several states posted growth well below the national average of 12.18%:

• Mexico City: +4.05% — constrained by limited space and high costs, pushing growth outward
• Guerrero: +4.48% — one of Mexico’s poorest states, long affected by security concerns and limited economic opportunity, factors commonly associated with elevated outmigration
• Veracruz: +5.49% — a historically significant but economically slower-growing Gulf coast state
• Tamaulipas: +7.93% — a northern border state whose growth has been comparatively modest relative to neighboring Nuevo León

Density Extremes: Mexico City vs. Chihuahua

Beyond raw population and growth, Mexico’s states also show dramatic differences in population density. Mexico City, despite its modest land area of just 1,485 km², packs in roughly 6,200 people per km² — by far the highest density of any state and among the highest of any major urban region in the Americas. By contrast, Chihuahua, Mexico’s largest state by area at 247,455 km², holds a comparatively modest population of 3,741,869, working out to a density of roughly 15 people per km² — a reminder that Mexico’s northern desert states, much like the vast interior regions of countries such as Russia or Saudi Arabia, combine enormous territory with sparse settlement.

Key Takeaways

1. México State and Mexico City together form Mexico’s core, housing over 21% of the national population.
2. Quintana Roo is Mexico’s fastest-growing state, expanding 40.17% between 2010 and 2020, driven by the Cancún–Riviera Maya tourism boom.
3. Querétaro’s 29.57% growth reflects its emergence as a major manufacturing and industrial hub rather than tourism.
4. Mexico City grew slower than any other state, as population growth shifts outward into the surrounding State of México.
5. Mexico’s northern desert states are vast but sparsely populated, while Mexico City is tiny in area yet the most densely populated entity in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most populous state in Mexico? The State of México is the most populous, with 16,992,418 residents as of the 2020 census.

Which Mexican state grew the fastest between 2010 and 2020? Quintana Roo grew fastest, at +40.17%, driven by tourism growth around Cancún and the Riviera Maya.

What is Mexico’s total population according to the 2020 census? Mexico’s total population was 126,014,024 in the 2020 census, up from 112,336,538 in 2010.

Which Mexican state has the highest population density? Mexico City has the highest density by far, at approximately 6,200 people per km².

Why did Mexico City grow slower than other states? Mexico City’s growth of just 4.05% reflects space and cost constraints pushing new population growth into the surrounding State of México instead.