Texas continues to be the fastest-growing state in the nation, both numerically speaking and percentage-wise, according to newly released Census Bureau data.
Between April 1, 2010 and July 1, 2011, Texas gained an additional 529,000 people, far more than the next three states with the highest numeric increase: California (438,000), Florida (256,000), and Georgia (128,000).
In terms of percentage growth, Texas’ population grew by 2.1 percent over the period, the fastest rate of increase of any state. Only the District of Columbia saw a bigger jump (2.7 percent)-and with federal government spending nearing record-levels, it’s not hard to understand why.
And while the new data doesn’t offer an explanation as to why Texas’ population continues to soar, it’s not a stretch to think that people are flocking to the Lone Star State because of the jobs and economic opportunities that are here, both of which have been strengthened by our state’s commitment to sound public policies.
– James Quintero