2011 Population Estimates Show Gains in South, West

New Census Bureau estimates published today show many counties recently experienced sizable swings in population.

The data is the first release of population figures for counties and metropolitan areas since the 2010 Census, current as of July 2011. Much of the areas reporting the largest gains are in the southern and western regions of the country.

Estimates show Texas reported the largest recent population spike of any state, up 2.1 percent. The state is home to 18 of the nation’s 100 fastest-growing counties.

Harris County, Texas, gained an estimated 88,452 residents – the largest raw increase of any county. The county’s birth rate more than tripled its death rate, according to census data.

For metropolitan areas, the largest population jumps occurred in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington and Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown areas.

Regions of California also reported significant increases, with 15 of the 100 fastest-growing counties in the state. Los Angeles County, Calif., added 70,451 residents – second only to Harris County.

After Texas, Utah (1.9 percent), Alaska (1.8 percent) and Colorado (1.7 percent) also experienced significant state population growth. The District of Columbia's 2.7 percent increase topped all states.

The map below shows the fastest growing counties by percent change. Drag to pan the map and click a county to view detailed data.

View a larger version of the map

Counties with the largest raw population increase:

County	2011 Estimate	2010-2011 Change	Percent change
Harris County, Texas	4,180,894	88,452	2.2
Los Angeles County, California	9,889,056	70,451	0.7
Maricopa County, Arizona	3,880,244	63,127	1.7
Miami-Dade County, Florida	2,554,766	58,331	2.3
Riverside County, California	2,239,620	49,979	2.3
Dallas County, Texas	2,416,014	47,875	2.0
Orange County, California	3,055,745	45,513	1.5
San Diego County, California	3,140,069	44,756	1.4
Bexar County, Texas	1,756,153	41,376	2.4
Tarrant County, Texas	1,849,815	40,776	2.3
Travis County, Texas	1,063,130	38,858	3.8
Hillsborough County, Florida	1,267,775	38,549	3.1
King County, Washington	1,969,722	38,473	2.0
Broward County, Florida	1,780,172	32,106	1.8
San Bernardino County, California	2,065,377	30,167	1.5
Collin County, Texas	812,226	29,885	3.8
Fulton County, Georgia	949,599	29,016	3.2
Wake County, North Carolina	929,780	28,787	3.2
Kings County, New York	2,532,645	27,945	1.1
Santa Clara County, California	1,809,378	27,736	1.6