Arizona’s population is growing, according to new figures from the United States Census Bureau. The state added enough residents to rank its growth the fifth highest in the nation.
The figures put the state’s population at more than 7 million. That’s 1.6 percent higher than a year ago.
Still Arizona State University economist Tom Rex said population growth remains considerably below the historic norm. He said the peak was in 2006, right before the Great Recession.
The growth is being driven by people moving here, as opposed to people having babies.
Only Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Washington grew faster. Florida's growth rate matched Arizona’s.
Despite our growth rate being above the national average, it was not enough to actually move the state up in the national rankings.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct Arizona's population.