Census: Nevada sixth-fastest growing state in nation

WASHINGTON - Nevada gained population in 2012 for the second consecutive year, another indication that the state continues its slow and steady recovery after four years of recession, according to population estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. The recession forced thousands of Nevada residents to seek work across the country.

The population gain was 1.43 percent, an increase of 38,903, to a total 2,758,931 people. That is compared to a 0.8 percent gain, a 19,270 increase, in population in 2011, the federal agency reported.

Nevada was the sixth-fastest growing state in the nation. Arizona and Florida, two other housing boom-and-bust states, also showed renewed gains after a dropoff at the end of the past decade.

In all, 26 states grew faster this year compared with the previous year, of which 19 are in the South and West region.

"These gains remain far smaller than those each state experienced during the economic boom, but reflect considerable improvement over the situation at the depths of the recession," said Kenneth Johnson, a sociologist and senior demographer at the University of New Hampshire, referring to Arizona, Nevada and Florida.

Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey saw more residents move away compared with the previous year.

North Dakota grew faster than any state in the nation, climbing by 2.17 percent from July 2011 to July of this year. The District of Columbia was next-fastest growing, followed by Texas, Wyoming and Utah. Two states lost population: Rhode Island and Vermont.

The Census Bureau produces population estimates as of July 1, allowing the nation, states and communities to gauge growth and demographic composition.

As a whole, the U.S. population grew by 2.3 million, reaching 313.9 million people. That growth rate of 0.75 percent was higher than the 0.73 percent rate in 2011, ending five years of slowing growth rates. Nevertheless, the rate of growth remains stuck at historically low levels not seen since 1937, restrained by reduced childbirths.

"After decades of wars, a depression, immigration surges, baby booms, boomlets and busts, we are entering a new era of modest growth," said William H. Frey, a demographer at Brookings Institution who analyzed the numbers.

Review-Journal Reporter Chris Sieroty contributed to this story. Contact Chris Sieroty at csieroty@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.