Only two states lost population betweenJuly 1, 2011, andJuly 1, 2012, Rhode Island(-354 or -0.03 percent) andVermont(-581 or -0.09 percent). Meanwhile,North Dakota's total population climbed by 2.17 percent betweenJuly 1, 2011, andJuly 1, 2012. This is the fastest growth of any state, and nearly three times faster than the nation as a whole, according to Census Bureaustate population estimatesreleased today.
The Census Bureau produces population estimates each year, allowing ournation,statesandcommunities togaugeour growth and demographic composition. The population estimates use administrative data to estimate population change between census years, using the decennial census count as a starting point. Estimates are used by local governments to locate services and by the private sector to locate businesses.
FollowingNorth Dakotain terms of percent increase over the same period were theDistrict of Columbia(2.15 percent),Texas(1.67 percent),Wyoming(1.60 percent),Utah(1.45 percent) andNevada(1.43 percent).North Dakotaranked only 37th in growth between the 2000 and 2010 censuses and climbed to sixth between 2010 and 2011. Each of the 10 fastest-growing states were in the South or West with the exception ofNorth DakotaandSouth Dakota.
The United Statesas a whole saw its population increase by 2.3 million from 2011 to 2012, to 313.9 million, for a growth rate of 0.75 percent.Texasgained more people than any other state in the year endingJuly 1(427,400), followed byCalifornia(357,500),Florida(235,300),Georgia(107,500) andNorth Carolina(101,000). These five states combined accounted for more than half of the nation's total population growth. In addition to 50 states and theDistrict of Columbia, the release also includes estimates forPuerto Rico.
Californiaremained the most populous state, with aJuly 1population of 38.0 million. Rounding out the top five states wereTexas(26.1 million),New York(19.6 million),Florida(19.3 million) andIllinois(12.9 million).
During 2013, the Census Bureau will release estimates of the 2012 total population of counties, incorporated places, and metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas as well as national, state and county population estimates by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin.
The 10 Fastest-Growing States fromJuly 1, 2011, toJuly 1, 2012
Percent Change
1. North Dakota
2.17
2. District of Columbia
2.15
3. Texas
1.67
4. Wyoming
1.60
5. Utah
1.45
6. Nevada
1.43
7. Colorado
1.39
8. Arizona
1.33
9. Florida
1.23
10. South Dakota
1.19
The 10 States with the Largest Population Increase fromJuly 1, 2011, toJuly 1, 2012
Numeric Change
1. Texas
427,400
2. California
357,500
3. Florida
235,300
4. Georgia
107,500
5. North Carolina
101,000
6. Arizona
86,000
7. Virginia
81,500
8. Washington
73,700
9. Colorado
71,300
10. New York
68,600
The Census Bureau develops state population estimates by measuring population change since the most recent census. The Census Bureau uses births, deaths, administrative records and survey data to develop estimates of population. For more detail regarding the methodology seehttp://www.census.gov/popest/methodology/.
SOURCE US Census Bureau 12.20.2012