The state of South Carolina grew by 1.29 percent between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau population estimates released last week.

That ranks the state No. 11 in the nation for percent of population increase in the last year and with a total estimated population base of 4,561,242 — an estimated increase of 57,962 people since 2008 — South Carolina is ranked No. 24 overall among all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

That’s up two spots from 2000 after the last census and is the same spot the state held after last year’s population estimates were compiled.

The estimates were released by the Census Bureau on Wednesday, Dec. 23, and are the final tallies before the 2010 Census officially begins. Results from the 2010 Census will be released next December.

Going by the most recent estimates, that means South Carolina has grown by a total of 549,230 people since the last census was taken nearly 10 years ago.

There are several factors the Census Bureau looks at when making these annual estimates between censuses, including natural growth and migration. It uses births, deaths, administrative records and survey data to develop estimates of population.

According to information provided to the Census Bureau, the state of South Carolina saw a natural population increase between 2008-09 of 53,057 — the difference between 131,363 births and 78,306 deaths statewide. The state also saw a total of 80,319 people migrate either domestically or internationally to within its borders.

Increasing populations seem to be a norm in the U.S. South. The region as a whole grew by an estimated 1,296,857 people from 2008 to this year. The total population for the United States also grew by more than 2.6 million people in the same time frame.

Surrounding states also saw comfortable rises in population.

South Carolina’s neighbor to the north experienced a 1.44 percent increase in population, upping its numbers by 133,750 people to put North Carolina at an estimated total population of 9,380,884. Georgia saw an estimated increase of 131,373, Tennessee had an estimated growth of 55,798 and Kentucky grew by an estimated 0.61 percent in the last year — up 26,182 people.

Looking nationwide, Texas saw the largest increase of people, according to estimates, between 2008 and 2009, growing 478,000. California was second in the number of people gained with a population increase of an estimated 381,000 and North Carolina, Georgia and Florida — with an estimated growth of 114,000 — rounded out the top five.

California remained the most populous state in the country with an estimated July 1, 2009, population of 37 million. Rounding out the top five for total population are Texas at 24.8 million, New York with 19.5 million, Florida at 18.5 million and Illinois with 12.9 million.

“We are focused now on ensuring we get a complete and accurate count in 2010,” said U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Groves last week in a release. “The census counts will not only determine how many U.S. House seats each state will have but will also be used as the benchmark for future population estimates.”

REGIONAL CENSUS OFFICE SET TO OPEN:

WHAT: U.S. Rep. John Spratt — 5th district of South Carolina — and other dignitaries will formally kick off the 2010 Census in Rock Hill and 11 South Carolina counties at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Rock Hill Local Census Office. 

WHEN: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010; reception and office tour scheduled at end of program.

WHERE: 775 Addison Ave., Suite 200, in the Ashton Building, near McAlister's Deli, Rock Hill.

WHO: Rep. Spratt will deliver keynote remarks; Jeanie Presto, assistant regional census manager, U.S. Census Bureau, also will speak. The Nation Ford High School Marine Corps ROTC will present Colors, and Julia Matthews will sing the National Anthem. A woodwind ensemble, under the direction of Martin Dickey, will perform and the S.C. Census Quilt, by Aiken artist Jackie Hill, will be on display.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

Here are a few more tidbits from the 2009 population estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau:

• Wyoming showed the largest percentage growth at 2.12 percent to 544,270 between 2008 and 2009.

• Utah was the next largest, growing 2.1 percent to 2.8 million.

• Texas ranked third in percentage of growth as its population climbed 1.97 percent to 24.8 million.

• Colorado was next with a 1.81 percent growth to an estimated population now of 5 million.

• Only three states lost population between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009: Michigan fell 0.33 percent, Maine lost 0.11 percent and Rhode Island fell 0.03 percent. Maine and Rhode Island had small population changes.

• Net domestic migration has slowed dramatically in many states in the South and West regions, including Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, North Carolina, South Carolina and Montana.