| The U.S. Census Bureau estimates and releases | | | | Arizona is America's fastest-growing state with a |
| Census data of the country on a periodic basis. The | | | | population rise of 3.6 %. Nevada was in second place |
| Bureau uses the data available on births, deaths, | | | | with a population increase of 3.5 %. Idaho is the third |
| migration and other administrative records and survey | | | | fastest growing state with a population gain of 2.6 %. |
| data to develop estimates of migration for the census. | | | | Georgia ranked fourth as its population increased by |
| In a recent survey report, the U.S Census Bureau | | | | 2.5 % followed by Texas which saw a population gain |
| News has released a list of top five most populated | | | | of 2.5 %. Utah is in sixth place (2.4 %) followed by |
| states in the U.S. The report is based on population | | | | North Carolina (2.1 %), Colorado (1.9 %), Florida (1.8 %) |
| estimates taken from July 1, 2005 to July 1, 2006. | | | | and South Carolina (1.7 %). |
| According to the U.S. Census report, California tops the | | | | Among numeric gainers - the states in America that |
| list of the most populous states in the U.S. with a | | | | gained more people between July 1, 2005 and July 1, |
| population of 36.5 million. The second most populous | | | | 2006, Texas is in the first place with an increase of |
| state was Texas with a 23.5 million followed by New | | | | 579,275 people. Second on the list is Florida with a |
| York in the third position with 19.3 million residents. The | | | | population gain of 321,697. California stands next with a |
| fourth most populated state in the U.S. as of July 1, | | | | gain of 303,402 followed by Georgia (231,388). Arizona |
| 2006 was Florida with a population of 18.1 million. | | | | (with an increase of 213,311 people), North Carolina |
| Rounding out the top five states was Illinois in the fifth | | | | (with an increase of 184,046 people), Washington (with |
| position with a population of 12.8 million. | | | | an increase of 103,899 people), Colorado (with an |
| The report also provides ranking on the top 10 fastest | | | | increase of 90,082 people), Nevada (with an increase |
| growing states and the top ten numeric gainers. The | | | | of 83,228 people) and Tennessee (with an increase of |
| following are the top ten states that had a faster pace | | | | 83,058 people), add to the top ten numeric gainers. |
| of population growth. | | | | |