N.C. growth third-highest in U.S.

The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area
Wednesday, December 23, 2009

North Carolina’s population grew by 134,000 in the 12 months from July 1, 2008, the third largest gain of residents in the country.

Only Texas, with an increase of 478,000 residents, and California with an increase of 381,000 people were ahead of the Tar Heel state in terms of increase in the number of people.

In terms of percentage gain, North Carolina had a 1.4 percent population growth rate between 2008 and 2009, the ninth-highest in the nation.

North Carolina’s population stands at an estimated 9,380.884, up from 9,247,134 in 2008, according to the new report. The nation’s population is now estimated at 307,006,550, up from 304,374,846 last year. The Census Bureau state population estimates are the last to be released before the agency conducts its official census of the nation next year as mandated by the Constitution.

In terms of the percentage of population growth between 2008 and 2009, Wyoming led the nation with a 2.12 percent growth to 544,270; Utah was up 2.10 percent to 2.8 million; and Texas was up 1.97 percent to 24.8 million residents.

California still has more people than any other state (37 million), followed by Texas (24.8 million), New York (19.5 million), Florida (18.5 million) and Illinois (12.9 million).

Three states lost people over the last year: Michigan (down 0.33 percent), Maine (down 0.11 percent) and Rhode Island (down 0.03 percent).

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