If the current U.S. growth pace continues through the decade, the 2020s will be the slowest-growing decade in the nation’s history, according to William Frey, a well-known Brookings demographer.

Why it matters: Previously, the slowest-growing decade was the 1930s, in the aftermath of the Great Depression, Frey told AP.

By the numbers: On New Year’s Day, the U.S. population will be nearly 336 million — up nearly 2 million (0.53%) from a year ago, the Census Bureau projected Thursday.

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