BluefoxToday blog : Nevada population growth still solid

At last there is a list where Nevada occupies one of the higher spots and this time it actually is good news. The year has otherwise been very dramatic for the state, especially for the Las Vegas metropolitan area that holds a large chunk of its population. Real estate values are under constant attack, many homeowners have difficulties making mortgage payments, Strip developments are put on hold and so on. The picture isn't pretty. Anyhow, let's get back to the good news.

The U.S. Census Bureau has prepared a report that covers the time from July 1, 2007 to July 1, 2008 and it estimates that almost 46,000 people moved into the state between those dates. Again, most of them predictably found their way to the Las Vegas valley. The increase amounts to 1.8% and puts the state on spot eight in national rankings. Nevada used to crowd the highest perch on the list for years and now has seen a few other states slide right by. Nevertheless, the population growth is still substantial and will help pull the stagnant housing market in Las Vegas and elsewhere from its present misery.

In a mild upset Utah rushed to the front of the pack this time with a growth rate of 2.5%, picking up over 67,000 new residents. Arizona, a perennial Nevada challenger in the past, came in second with an 2.3% advance. The next three were Colorado, North Carolina and Texas, each cruising along at 2.0%. California is still a big draw as it attracted 379,000 people that lifts its total population to over 36 million.