WASHINGTON - North Dakota was America's fastest growing state in 2014, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Its population increased 2.2 percent, followed by the 1.7 percent growth in Nevada and Texas. Each of the 10 fastest-growing states was in the South or West, with the exception of North Dakota.
Some states saw a decrease in population. Six states lost population between July 1, 2013 and July 1, 2014: Illinois (9,972 or minus 0.08 percent), West Virginia (3,269 or minus 0.18 percent), Connecticut (2,664 or minus 0.07 percent), New Mexico (1,323 or minus 0.06 percent, Alaska (527 or minus 0.07 percent) and Vermont (293 or minus 0.05 percent).
The U.S. as a whole saw its population increase by 2.4 million to 318.9 million, or 0.75 percent.
By adding an average of 803 new residents each day between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014, Florida passed New York to become the nation's third-most populous state, according to U.S. Census Bureau state population estimates released Tuesday. Florida's population grew by 293,000 over this period, reaching 19.9 million. The population of New York increased by 51,000 to 19.7 million.
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California remained the nation's most populous state in 2014, with 38.8 million residents, followed by Texas, at 27.0 million. Although the list of the 10 most populous states overall was unchanged, two other states did change positions, as North Carolina moved past Michigan to take the ninth spot.
