Calif. Population Growth Rate Highest In Years

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California's population grew by the highest rate in nearly a decade over the last year, swelling the state's ranks to more than 38.2 million, new population figures released Thursday showed.

The state Department of Finance reported that California added 332,000 people between July 1, 2012 and July 1 of this year, a growth rate of 0.9 percent that is the highest since 2003-04, before the recession.

The increase was largely driven by new births, even though the birth rate is declining. Migration added only 66,000 people, the report said. Alameda County, on the outskirts of Silicon Valley and home to a fast-growing technology sector, accounted for the largest share of the migration, with more than 15,000 new arrivals from other states and countries.

Alameda and Santa Clara counties in the San Francisco Bay Area saw the largest percentage increases in population, followed by Santa Barbara, Placer and Kern counties. Ten counties, mostly in more remote areas, saw population declines.

More than half of all Californians live in just five counties: Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino.

State officials use the annual population data to determine how to spend state money, distribute social welfare programs and assess the state's overall needs.

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