Michigan's estimated population grew in 2012

LANSING (AP) -- Michigan's estimated population grew a fraction of a percentage point in 2012, the first increase in the measure for the state since 2004, according to figures from the U.S. Census Bureau the state announced recently. The figures detailed by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget say Michigan's new 2012 population estimate is 9,883,360. That's up 6,559, or 0.07 percent, from a population estimate of 9,876,801 in 2011. The state had an estimated 9,877,670 people in 2010. "Michigan's estimated population began to grow again in 2012 and its level of net migration continued to improve," said Ken Darga, a demographer for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget. Despite the increase, Michigan was overtaken by Georgia as the nation's eighth largest state and is expected to be passed by North Carolina in 2014. Michigan had lost population in recent years in part due to its reliance on the ailing manufacturing sector. Michigan also lost a congressional seat after seeing its population decline in the 2010 census. "If recent rates of growth continue in the Sunbelt, Michigan will be passed by North Carolina in 2014," Darga said. "Michigan had been the eighth largest state since being passed by Florida in 1979. Michigan's held its highest ranking, seventh, from the 1920 Census until 1979." ---------------- Online: http://www.michigan.gov/census. Published: Wed, Dec 26, 2012