The Fastest-Growing States Include Surprises

Forbes magazine examined census population estimates from July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2008, to determine which states had the largest year-over-year increases.

States where jobs are the most plentiful are the places that are growing fastest.

Only two states lost population: Michigan and Rhode Island. Michigan was hurt by the auto industry; Rhode Island was affected by the declining housing industry.

Here’s the list of the 10 fastest-growing states:

Utah, 2.53 percent
Arizona, 2.31 percent
Texas, 2.03 percent
North Carolina, 2 percent
Colorado, 2 percent
Idaho, 1.85 percent
Wyoming, 1.8 percent
Nevada, 1.79 percent
Georgia, 1.71 percent
South Carolina, 1.7 percent

Source: Forbes, Lauren Sherman (12/22/2008)