Nevada Outpaces Arizona in Population Growth Rate

By Laura Newpoff
Phoenix Business Journal

Arizona has lost its status as the nation's fastest growing state.

With a population boost of 2.9 percent between July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, Nevada is the fastest growing, according to new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Arizona was just behind with a 2.8 percent growth rate, but added more overall residents during that time than its neighbor to the north.

The Grand Canyon state's population surged during the July-to-July period by 173,066 people to 6.34 million. Nevada gained 72,955 residents over that time for a total population of 2.56 million.

Arizona was the fastest-growing state between 2005 and 2006.

As the nation prepares to ring in the new year, the U.S. Census Bureau projects the Jan. 1, 2008, population will be 303.1 million, a jump of 2.8 million from New Year's Day 2007.
In January, the U.S. is expected to register one birth every eight seconds and one death every 11 seconds. Meanwhile, net international migration is expected to add one person every 30 seconds. The result is an increase in the total U.S. population of one person every 13 seconds.

In other news from the Census Bureau, Louisiana is rebounding from its post-Hurricane Katrina population loss, gaining nearly 50,000 people from July to July, for a total population of 4.3 million. The state lost 250,000 residents during the previous one-year period.

Texas gained more people than any other state: Its 2006-2007 increase of almost 500,000 was ahead of runner-up California, which added slightly more than 300,000.

California remains the most populous state with nearly 37 million people. Arizona ranks No. 16.

For more: www.census.gov

From: Phoenix Business Journal (www.bizjournals.com)