Colorado ranked fifth for population growth between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008. Its population grew from 4,842,770 residents in 2007 to 4,939456 in 2008, an increase of 2 percent, according to estimates the U.S. Census Bureau released in late December. It was one of the six Rocky Mountain States that dominated the top 10 fastest-growing states.
Utah earned the title of the nation’s fastest-growing state with a population reaching 2.7 million, an increase of 2.5 percent. Arizona was the second fastest-growing state, with its population increasing 2.3 percent, while Texas and North Carolina ranked third and fourth with a growth rate each of 2 percent. Nevada, which had been among the four fastest-growing states each of the last 24 years, grew only 1.8 percent, earning it the eighth slot in the rankings.
However, the states that grew the fastest didn’t necessarily grow the most between 2007 and 2008. Utah, Wyoming, Nevada and Idaho – all of which were in the top 10 fastest-growing states – didn’t make it to the list of the top 10 numeric growers. Texas gained more people than any other state, with 484,000 new residents calling the Lone Star State home, followed by California (379,000), North Carolina (181,000), Georgia (162,000) and Arizona (147,000). Colorado’s growth of 96,686 residents did earn it the eighth spot among states gaining the most population.
Michigan and Rhode Island were the only two states to lose population: Michigan’s population declined 0.5 percent (46,000), while Rhode Island’s fell 0.2 percent (2,000).
California remained the title-holder of the most populous state, with about 36.8 million residents on July 1, 2008, followed by Texas (24.3 million), New York (19.5 million), Florida (18.3 million) and Illinois (12.9 million).
Here’s a complete list of the top 10 fastest-growing states as well as the top 10 numeric gainers, according to the U.S. Census Bureau:
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