Population Growth

   The U.S. population is stabilizing even as the rest of the world is adding people faster, according to U.S. Census estimates.
   The nation's population grew by less than 1 percent last year -- about 0.7 percent,  the bureau said -- while the rest of the world grew faster -- about 1.1 percent.
   And here's a thought to ponder: In January, babies will be born at a faster rate than older folks pass on. One birth is expected every 8 seconds, the bureau said, and one death every 12 seconds. That compares with a worldwide rate of 4.3 births every second and 1.8 deaths, according to Census estimates.

   So as America starts the New Year, its population will total 317.3 million, an increase of 2.2 million from a year ago -- or 0.7 percent. And the projected world population is 7.14 billion, an increase of 77.6 million, or 1.1 percent. India leads in the growth spurt, adding 15.6 million people over the year, followed by China, Nigeria, Pakistan and Ethiopia.

   In U.S. regions, the South has double the number of people than the Northeast, reflecting a pattern of faster growth. There are nearly 120 million people living in Southern states, the Census Bureau said, compared to 74 million in the West, 68 million in the Midwest and 56 million in the Northeast.
   Political watchers take note.

   The most populous states, the Census said, are California (38.3 million), Texas (26.5 million), New York (19.7 million), and Florida (19.6 million). Wyoming ranked last in population, with just 582,658 people.