Nevada falls to No. 8 in population growth

State had held the top spot for much of the past two decades

Monday, Dec. 22, 2008 | 10:35 a.m.

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U.S. Census Bureau reports

Nevada has been among the four fastest-growing states in the country for 23 consecutive years, spending many of those years in the top spot. That streak has come to an end.

The U.S. Census Bureau today said the Silver State gained an estimated 45,823 people between July 1, 2007 and July 1 of this year. That's a 1.8 percent increase in population, which ranks Nevada as the eighth fastest-growing state, with 2,600,167 residents.

Utah saw the fastest rate of growth in the past year, with a gain of 67,499 residents, or a 2.5 percent increase. Rounding out the Top 5 were Arizona (2.3 percent), and Texas, North Carolina and Colorado (each at 2 percent), the Census Bureau said.

Texas gained more people than any other state (484,000), followed by California (379,000). The increase brought California's population to 36,756,666.

Nevada maintained its position as the 35th most populous state in the country.

Nevada had a 2.9 percent population increase during the 12 months from July 1, 2006 to July 1, 2007, which had been its lowest rate of growth this decade. Arizona was the fastest-growing state for one year before that, knocking Nevada out of the top spot after 20 years at No. 1.

For the 12 months ending July 1, six of the 10 fastest-growing states (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming) were in the West, while three were along the south Atlantic coast (Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina). Only two states (Michigan and Rhode Island) lost population.

The U.S. population from July 1, 2007 to July 1 this year increased by 0.9 percent, or an estimated 2,769,392 people. The West was the fastest-growing region of the country (1.4 percent), but the South added the most people (1.4 million).

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

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By RPJ

Dec. 22, 2008

12:21 p.m.

Suggest removal

YES! Thank you. The bottom rung is falling off and that is a GREAT THING. Las Vegas was a much more pleasant place to live when we had fewer people taking more than they give back.
By VegasShells

Dec. 22, 2008

2:08 p.m.

Suggest removal

I hate to say it but I agree. Too many people are coming into Vegas wanting something for nothing. I still love this town but it has changed so much in the last 15 years and not necessarily for the better. Bottom line...don't come to Vegas solely because you can't make it where you're at. If you can't make it where you're at look at the possibility that perhaps the problem is you not your environment before you come to Vegas, fail out here and become our problem.
By gqbossing

Dec. 22, 2008

2:16 p.m.

Suggest removal

Nevada is just in a lull for a while until the next boom comes along. This is a tourist destination state by design, and most people come here in good times due to job growth. You might even see an exodus next year.

For the reasons people move here, it's no different than anywhere else, people migrate where they can find opportunities; we should all be proud that for 25 years we were the best at generating those opportunities.
By jfnance32

Dec. 22, 2008

4:01 p.m.

Suggest removal

If the economy ever picks back up, then Vegas will resume it boom status.
By sedsaw

Dec. 22, 2008

4:55 p.m.

Suggest removal

"Bottom line...don't come to Vegas solely because you can't make it where you're at. If you can't make it where you're at look at the possibility that perhaps the problem is you not your environment before you come to Vegas"..
vegasshells...
you're an example of what is wrong with people who thinks as you do. Ignorant and misinformed. So I guess you haven't heard about the economy and how it affects so many millions losing their job or savings due to issues out of their control. Open your mind and don't be an idiot.