Population growth continues in 2016

The steady population growth Oklahoma has seen over the past several years continued in 2016, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures released Tuesday.

The state’s population grew by about 0.41 percent, or 16,147 people, from July 1, 2015, to July 1, 2016, according to the census bureau’s annual population estimates. During that period, the state saw the 23rd highest percentage growth among the 50 states plus Washington, D.C. The state fell behind the nation’s overall population growth of 7 percent during the same period.

Since 2010, Oklahoma has added 163,958 new residents, a population growth of about 4.36 percent. During that period, the state posted the 22nd highest percentage growth.

Utah saw the nation’s greatest percentage population growth since last year, with 2.03 percent.

However, Texas had the greatest population growth in terms of raw numbers, with 432,957 new residents.

West Virginia saw a 0.54 percent population decline, making it the fastest-shrinking state in the country in terms of percentage of population. Illinois had a population decline of 37,508 residents, which was the largest population loss in the country in terms of raw numbers.

Overall, the South and the West saw the fastest population growth over the past year, the census bureau reported. The census bureau classifies Oklahoma as a southern state.