MJS: Wisconsin's population grows by 0.4%

Wisconsin's population grew by 24,781 people between April 1, 2010 and July 1, 2011, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Wednesday.

The state's estimated population stood at 5,711,767.

Wisconsin's population grew at a rate of 0.4%, which was lower than the nation rate of 0.92%. It was the lowest national growth rate since the 1940s, according to the census bureau.

"The nation's overall growth rate is now at its lowest point since before the baby boom," census bureau director Robert Groves said in a statement.

Overall, the U.S. population increased by 2.8 million to 311.6 million.

The big overall gainers in population were Texas (529,000), California (438,000), Florida (256,000), Georgia (128,000) and North Carolina (121,000), But the fastest growth rate was actually recorded by Washington, D.C. (2.7%).

With 37.7 million people, California remained the most populous state followed by Texas (25.7 million), New York (19.5 million), Florida (19.1 million) and Illinois (12.9 million).

MJS