Hawaii's Population: 1,285,498

Births and immigration from abroad offset losses to the mainland, for a continuing gain of about 1 percent a year

Birthrates and immigration from other countries increased Hawaii's population by 12,220 people to 1,285,498 since last year, according to Census Bureau estimates released today.

Hawaii ranks as the 42nd most populous state in the nation, beating Rhode Island and following New Hampshire.

Hawaii's growth rate has remained stable at about 1 percent for the last four years, said Eugene Tian, research and statistics officer at the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

HAWAII'S POPULATION: 1,285,498 12,220: Population increase 1%: Growth rate 17,782: Births 9,189: Deaths 6,720: Net international migration -3,136: Net domestic migration FASTEST-GROWING STATES IN U.S. PERCENTAGE 1. Arizona, 3.6 percent 2. Nevada, 3.5 percent 3. Idaho, 2.6 percent 4. Georgia, 2.5 percent 5. Texas, 2.5 percent NUMBER 1. Texas, 579,275 2. Florida, 321,697 3. California, 303,402 4. Georgia, 231,388 5. Arizona, 213,311 On the Net » The Census report is available at www.census.gov

Births outnumbered deaths in the state, creating a net increase of 8,593 people, according to the Census Bureau.

While more than 6,700 people moved to Hawaii from a foreign country, Hawaii saw a net loss of 3,100 people for the mainland.

"This has been happening in the last few years. We lost people to the mainland, but we gained more from the foreign countries in migration," Tian said.

Many of the people moving to the mainland are in the military or move in search of a cheaper cost of living, Tian said.

The largest group of people from foreign countries came from the Philippines, which should continue to be the largest source of immigrants as new citizens bring family members to Hawaii, Tian said.

From April 2000 to July, Hawaii gained about 74,000 residents, averaging about 13,000 new residents each year, Tian said.

However, with Hawaii's booming economy, Tian said the state would like to see a larger population growth rate.

"With the economy now we are the lowest state in terms of unemployment rate, so we actually are in need of labor, in need of workers," he said.

"I feel that this 1 percent is not enough to reduce our shortage problem in the labor market. We should have more people moving in to fill the gaps."

Nationally, the population increased by 1 percent, or about 2.8 million, and totaled 299,398,484.

Arizona led the nation as the fastest-growing state at 3.6 percent, ending Nevada's 19-year reign.

Nevada ranked second this year with 3.5 percent growth, followed by Idaho, Georgia, Texas, Utah, North Carolina, Colorado, Florida and South Carolina.

Texas gained the most in population, with 579,275 new residents.

The Census report covers the period from July 2005 to July 2006. It also revised data for population estimates from 2001 to 2005.