State population grows, but pace is slowing

The state's population continues to grow, but appears to be slowing down because of a faltering economy, according to the state's Office of Financial Management.

As of April 1, the state population was 6,587,600, a 1.5 percent increase over 2007, according to new population figures released today. The state gathers population numbers from April to April each year.

The state's chief demographer, Theresa Lowe, says the figures show a "deceleration" in the state's population. The annual growth rate last year was 99,600. In 2006, it was about 120,000. Annual growth rate includes births, deaths, and people migrating to the state.

Slowing economic conditions appear to be limiting the number of people migrating to Washington for jobs, Lowe said. While Washington's economy is still among the healthiest in the nation, migration has dropped steadily: 81,000 in 2006, 70,000 in 2007 and 59,000 in 2008.

Many job seekers, for example, are having difficulty selling their homes in the state they are moving from and are being forced to carry two mortgages or not take jobs here at all.

The state's population is culled from school enrollment numbers, housing, voter records, driver's licenses and other data.

Other findings:

• The economy of nearby states, particularly California, has a huge impact on the state's growth. Driver's license data show that, over time, 40 to 50 percent of those who move to the state come from California. The number of people moving to Washington from California in the previous 12 months was 27,900, compared to 38,000 in that same period in 2006. Movement from Oregon, the second-largest source of new residents, also has slowed.

• Annual housing growth in the state dropped from 47,791 in 2007 to 41,322 in 2008.

• The fastest-growing counties since the 2000 Census are Franklin, with a 42 percent growth, Clark, 23 percent, and Thurston, 18 percent.

• Over the past 10 years, King County grew 13 percent, the 18th-highest in the state. During that time, the county added 218,400 residents.

• Seattle and Spokane remain the largest cities in the state, followed by Tacoma, Vancouver and Bellevue. Seattle now has a population of 592,800.

Renton, which ranked 13th last year, moved up to 11th this year. The smallest town among 281 in the state is Krupp, in Grant County, with a population of 60.

• Since 2000, the state reported 662,802 births, 365,571 deaths and 396,226 new residents due to migration.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com