Texas Gains the Most in Population Since the Census; First Population Estimates Since 2010 Show Slowest National Growth Since the 1940s

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Dec 21, 2011, 09:30 ET

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Texas gained more people than any other state between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011 (529,000), followed by California (438,000), Florida (256,000), Georgia (128,000) and North Carolina (121,000), according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates for states and Puerto Rico. Combined, these five states accounted for slightly more than half the nation's total population growth.

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"These are the first set of Census Bureau population estimates to be published since the official 2010 Census state population counts were released a year ago," said Census Bureau Director Robert Groves. "Our nation is constantly changing and these estimates provide us with our first measure of how much each state has grown or declined in total population since Census Day 2010."

The United States as a whole saw its population increase by 2.8 million over the 15-month period, to 311.6 million. Its growth of 0.92 percent between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011, was the lowest since the mid-1940s.

"The nation's overall growth rate is now at its lowest point since before the baby boom," Groves said.

California remained the most populous state, with a July 1, 2011, population of 37.7 million. Rounding out the top five states were Texas (25.7 million), New York (19.5 million), Florida (19.1 million) and Illinois (12.9 million).

Among states and equivalents, the District of Columbia experienced the fastest growth between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011, as its population climbed 2.7 percent. This marks the first time it led states and equivalents in growth since the early 1940s. D.C. ranked 35th in percent growth between the 2000 and 2010 censuses.

Following D.C. in terms of percent increase between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011, were Texas (2.1 percent), Utah (1.9 percent), Alaska (1.8 percent), Colorado (1.7 percent) and North Dakota (1.7 percent). North Dakota was 37th in percent growth between the 2000 and 2010 censuses.

The only three states to lose population between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011, were Rhode Island (1,300 or -0.12 percent), Michigan (7,400 or -0.08 percent) and Maine (200 or -0.01 percent).

Nevada, the nation's fastest-growing state between 2000 and 2010, ranked only 27th in population growth between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011, increasing by 0.8 percent.

During 2012, the Census Bureau will release 2011 estimates of the total population of counties and incorporated places, as well as national, state and county population estimates by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin.

The Census Bureau develops state population estimates by measuring population change since the most recent census. These are the first set of population estimates to be based on the 2010 Census. The Census Bureau uses births, deaths, administrative records and survey data to develop estimates of population. For more detail regarding the methodology see http://www.census.gov/popest/methodology/.

The 10 Fastest Growing States from April 1, 2010, to July 1, 2011

		Percent Change
1.	District of Columbia	2.70
2.	Texas	2.10
3.	Utah	1.93
4.	Alaska	1.76
5.	Colorado	1.74
6.	North Dakota	1.69
7.	Washington	1.57
8.	Arizona	1.42
9.	Florida	1.36
10.	Georgia	1.32

The 10 States with the Largest Numeric Increase from April 1, 2010, to July 1, 2011

		Numeric Change
1.	Texas	529,000
2.	California	438,000
3.	Florida	256,000
4.	Georgia	128,000
5.	North Carolina	121,000
6.	Washington	105,000
7.	Virginia	96,000
8.	Arizona	90,000
9.	Colorado	88,000
10.	New York	87,000