Just over 2500 citizens from Freely Associated States, or FAS, are making the Northern Marianas their home.
Saipan in the Northern Marianas. Photo: Supplied
The US Census Bureau said the figure represented a five percent decrease from previous counts.
FAS refers to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.
The estimate, to be used for the next five years, provides the basis for determining Compact Impact funding in fiscal year 2019, which this year amounts to $US34 million.
Under the Compact of Free Association, funding is provided to help defray costs associated with increased demands placed on the CNMI, Guam, Hawai'i and American Samoa by migrants from the FAS.