Arizona has surpassed Nevada as the nation's fastest growing state, according to the latest Census Bureau estimates. At the same time, Louisiana lost nearly 5 percent of its pre-Katrina population.
Between July 2005 and July 2006, Arizona's population grew by 3.6 percent, besting Nevada's 3.5 percent gain. Idaho grew by 2.6 percent during the 12-month period, followed by Georgia and Texas at 2.5 percent each.
The South and West again monopolized the list of fastest-growing states with Utah, North Carolina, Colorado, Florida and South Carolina rounding out the Top 10. Colorado and South Carolina replaced Delaware and Oregon on this year's list.
At the other end of the spectrum, Louisiana's population totaled 4.3 million as of July 1, down nearly 220,000 from a year earlier. Between July 2004 and July 2005, the state added 12,000 new residents.
Numerically, Texas gained more people than any other state over the 12-month period with a gain of 579,275. Florida added 321,697 people, while California gained 303,402. Rounding out the top five states were Georgia, with 231,388 new residents, and Arizona, with 213,311.
According to the estimates, California remains the most populous state with 36.5 million inhabitants. Texas is next with 23.5 million people, followed by New York with 19.3 million, Florida with 18.1 million and Illinois with 12.8 million July 1, 2006.
Here are some of the other more interesting government population estimates:
- North Carolina has replaced New Jersey as the 10th most populous state in the land.
- The Northeast region grew by only 62,000 people. In comparison, the South grew by 1.5 million and the West by 1 million. The Midwest added 281,000 people.
- The West was the country's fastest-growing region. Its population grew by 1.5 percent over the July-to-July period. The South was a close second with 1.4 percent growth rate, followed by the Midwest at 0.4 percent and the Northeast at 0.1 percent.
- The South now accounts for 36 percent of the nation's total population. The West has 23 percent; the Midwest, 22 percent, and the Northeast, 18 percent.
Ten Fastest Growing States
| State | Percent |
|---|
| Arizona | 3.6 |
| Nevada | 3.5 |
| Idaho | 2.6 |
| Georgia | 2.5 |
| Texas | 2.5 |
| Utah | 2.4 |
| North Carolina | 2.1 |
| Colorado | 1.9 |
| Florida | 1.8 |
| South Carolina | 1.7 |
Biggest Population Growth
| State | Numeric Change |
|---|
| Texas | 579,275 |
| Florida | 321,697 |
| California | 303,402 |
| Georgia | 231,388 |
| Arizona | 213,311 |
| North Carolina | 184,046 |
| Washington | 103,899 |
| Colorado | 90,082 |
| Nevada | 83,228 |
| Tennessee | 83,058 |
Source: Census Bureau
Published: January 5, 2007
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 When Lew Sichelman first started writing about housing in 1969, he was the youngest real estate writer in the country. Now, 37 years later, he's one of the oldest -- and most decorated.
He has been rated the top housing columnist in the country by the National Association of Realtors as well as by his peers in the National Association of Real Estate Editors. Indeed, NAREE has recognized his work on numerous occasions. One year - due to his advancing age, he can't recall which one - he earned top honors in the annual NAREE Journalism Contest in three out of the four major writing categories. It was the first time one writer has won so many NAREE awards in a single year.
Known for his ability to make even the most difficult topics understandable, Sichelman also has been honored by the National Association of Home Builders and the Mortgage Bankers Association.
He began providing in-depth coverage of and consumer-oriented information about housing and housing finance at the Washington Daily News, where he was real estate editor. He
held that same position for nine more years at the Washington Star, which purchased the News in 1972.
The Star, a so-called "writer's newspaper" which also had the misfortune of being an evening paper, was put out of its misery in 1981, and Sichelman, who had begun self-syndicating his column in 1978, decided to become a full-time columnist. Today, his column, "The Housing Scene," is distributed by United Media to newspapers throughout the country.
He also is on the staff of National Mortgage News, an independent newspaper which is considered the bible of the mortgage business. And he writes for numerous other publications, including MarketWatch.com, where he answers readers questions once a week, Sports Illustrated (don't ask), RealtyTimes.com, BigBuilder and others.
Sichelman is married, the father of five and grandfather of eleven. |
