Texas has passed New York to become the nation's second most populous state.
The Census Bureau said Tuesday that Texas added 356,000 residents in the 12 months prior to July 1, bringing the total to approximately 18.4 million residents on that date. New York, which added only 16,000, had approximately 18.2 million.The bureau had projected in April that Texas would overtake New York when the July 1 figures were tallied.
California remains No. 1 by far with 31.4 million residents after adding 214,000 in the year that ended July 1.
Texas had moved into third place in 1973 by passing Pennsylvania, which now stands fifth behind Florida.
During the year, the South had the largest overall population growth, although most of the states with the fastest growth rates were located in the West, the bureau said. (See chart.)
Utah's population was estimated by the bureau at 1.9 million - up 48,000 people, making it the 33rd most populous state.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Population growth: 1993-94
Eight of the nation's 10 fastest-growing states are in the West.
1. Nevada 5.4%
2. Arizona 3.3%
3. Idaho 3.0%
4. UTAH 2.6% (tie)
4. Colorado 2.6% (tie)
6. New Mexico 2.3%
7. Georgia 2.2%
8. Texas 2.0%
9. Montana 1.8%
10. Oregon 1.7%