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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  THURSDAY, DEC. 20, 2012 North Dakota is Nation's Fastest-Growing State Since 2011 North Dakota's total population  climbed by 2.17 percent between July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2012. This is the  fastest growth of any state, and nearly three times faster than the nation as a  whole, according to Census Bureau state  population estimates released today. The Census Bureau produces population estimates each year, allowing our nation, states and communities to gauge our 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. Following North Dakota in terms of percent increase over the same period were the District of Columbia (2.15  percent), Texas (1.67 percent), Wyoming (1.60 percent), Utah (1.45 percent) and  Nevada (1.43 percent). North Dakota ranked 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 of North Dakota  and South Dakota. The United States as 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. Texas gained more people than any  other state in the year ending July 1 (427,400), followed by California (357,500),  Florida (235,300), Georgia (107,500) and North 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 the District of Columbia, the release also  includes estimates for Puerto  Rico. California remained the most  populous state, with a July 1 population of 38.0 million. Rounding out the top  five states were Texas (26.1 million), New York (19.6 million), Florida (19.3  million) and Illinois (12.9 million). The only two states to lose  population between July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2012, were Rhode Island (-354 or  -0.03 percent) and Vermont (-581 or -0.09 percent). 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 from July 1, 2011, to July 1, 2012****Percent Change**1.
      North Dakota
      2.172.
      District  of Columbia
      2.153.
      Texas
      1.674.
      Wyoming
      1.605.
      Utah
      1.456.
      Nevada
      1.437.
      Colorado
      1.398.
      Arizona
      1.339.
      Florida
      1.2310.
      South  Dakota
      1.19   **The 10 States with the Largest Population Increase
from July 1, 2011, to  July 1, 2012****Numeric Change**1.
      Texas
      427,4002.
      California
      357,5003.
      Florida
      235,3004.
      Georgia
      107,5005.
      North Carolina
      101,0006.
      Arizona
      86,0007.
      Virginia
      81,5008.
      Washington
      73,7009.
      Colorado
      71,30010.
      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 see <https://www.census.gov/popest/methodology/>.**
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