Nevada tops in population growth

Those agitating for higher taxes in Nevada like to recite the state's low ranking on a litany of "social" indices, which they regard as evidence that we live in something akin to a Third World hellhole.

Of course, they prefer to ignore that the Silver State is consistently among the leaders in a number of state rankings, including those measuring job growth, employment, entrepreneurial opportunities and tax climate.

So it should come as no surprise that on Wednesday, the Census Bureau featured Nevada at the top of its list for population growth during the fiscal year that ended July 1. The state's population grew by 2.9 percent to an estimated 2.56 million.

Arizona, Utah, Idaho and Georgia rounded out the top five -- and it's no coincidence that they all have relatively low-tax environments.

New York led the bottom five and was followed by Vermont, Ohio, Michigan and Rhode Island -- and it's no coincidence that they all feature relatively high-tax, anti-business environments.

Michigan and Rhode Island actually lost residents over the past year.

The bureau's numbers are calculated by examining births, deaths and migration into and out of each state.

Most of Nevada's growth is occurring in Las Vegas, of course. And with several new properties slated to open on the Strip over the next few years, there's no indication the state's expansion will slow.

But the influx of new residents -- even if it highlights the state's friendly business climate -- doesn't sit well with everyone. "Just getting bigger is kind of like sitting around the table after Christmas dinner," said Keith Schwer, a UNLV economist. "Getting bigger doesn't mean you're better off."

Perhaps. But would you rather live in Michigan, where stifling taxes and labor laws have laid waste to a once-vibrant economy and sent even longtime residents fleeing for more hospitable climes? Or would you prefer Nevada, where jobs and opportunity are plentiful?

It appears that Americans are voting with their feet.