DENVER –The Census Bureau released their July 2017 population estimates and the State Demography Office provides the following review:

The U.S. increased by 2.3 million people between 2016 and 2017 to reach an estimated population of 325,719,178.  During the same time Colorado increased by just over 77,049 to reach 5,607,154 ranking eighth in total growth and ninth in percent growth of 1.4 percent. Colorado remains the 21st largest state with Wisconsin ranking 20th at 5.795 million. 

The southern U.S. reported the largest growth at 1 percent followed by the Western U.S. at .9 percent. The Northeast and Midwest reported the slowest growth.

Eight states are reporting declines in population between 2016 and 2017 those being Illinois, West Virginia, Wyoming, Louisiana, Alaska, Mississippi, Hawaii and North Dakota.

The components of Colorado’s growth were 46,838 in net migration and 30,211 in natural increase made up of 67,638 births and 37,427 deaths.  Colorado’s net migration is estimated to be composed of 36,865 in domestic migration and 9,973 in international migration.  Colorado’s net migration rate is estimated to be 8.4 per 1,000 in population ranking 10th highest in the U.S. Idaho and Nevada lead the nation in migration rates at an estimated 15.6 per 1,000. 

Since 2010, Colorado has increased by 577,829, a growth of 11.6 percent.  Nationally this ranks eighth in total growth and sixth in percentage growth. Sixty percent of Colorado’s growth is estimated to be from net migration with 40 percent from natural increase.  Three states are showing a decline since 2010 in population, those being West Virginia, Illinois, and Vermont. 

The growth in the U.S. has continued to slow from a peak of 2.417 million in 2015 to the current growth of 2.313 million. The slower growth is due to fewer births and increasing deaths as well as a slowing in international migration. A similar pattern is occurring in Colorado where we have seen a slowing of growth, which peaked in 2015 at 98,000. Slowing in Colorado is primarily due to a slowing in international migration as well as domestic migration. Natural increase has been steady around 30,000 since 2010.

County estimates will be released in March 2018 and cities and towns will be released in May 2018.