5. Demographics Limit Future Economic Growth decade, working-age population growth would hit a historically low 550,000 annually due to aging demographics and flat birth rates from 20 years ago. 280,000 per year through 2028 to prevent declines in the working-age population. This demographic 7. Young Family Growth Shifts to Southeast most states due to lower birth rates, but growing in select Southeast markets, including the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Texas, plus some Northeast areas outside New York City. This geographic families and adults who subsequently become parents. Nationally, 30 percent of construction workers are foreign born, with significant state variation. highest in the South, West, and major Northeast cities, while the Midwest relies more on domestic workers.