Wyoming’s total resident population reached 576,412 in July 2012, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The annual increase from July 2011 was 9,056 persons, or 1.6 percent, the fastest in three years. The estimated net migration, after accounting for the natural change (7,426 births and 4,426 deaths), indicated that about 6,000 more persons moved into Wyoming than left the State between July 2011 and July 2012. In contrast, the annual net migration was slightly negative from July 2010 to July 2011, which means that more Wyomingites left the state than people moved in over the year. The U.S. population increased 0.7 percent from July 2011 to July 2012. Wyoming’s growth rate ranked the 4th fastestin the nation, only slower than North Dakota (2.2%), Washington D.C. (2.1%), and Texas (1.7%).

Natrona County led the state with the largest population growth of 2,265, or 3.0 percent between July 2011 and July 2012. Campbell, Converse, Laramie, Sublette, and Sweetwater counties also experienced strong increases of at least 2.0 percent, each. Migration is mostly driven by change in employment, and people tend to move to areas where there are jobs available.

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