Hawai'i's population grew less than 1 percent from July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2008, according to Census Bureau population estimates released yesterday.

The increase was at the high end of recent years. Since the 2000 census, the year-to-year increase in the state's population has ranged from 0.24 percent to 1 percent.

The agency estimated the state's population at 1,288,198 this year, reflecting an increase of 10,842 residents from the previous year, or 0.85 percent.

Of the new residents, 9,827 were attributed to a "natural increase" in the population, or a net gain of births minus deaths, the Census Bureau said.

There was a net gain in international migration of 4,098 people, including military members leaving for and returning from overseas. However, the agency estimated a net loss in domestic migration between Hawai'i and the Mainland of 3,752 residents.

So, the overall impact from domestic and international migration was a net gain of 346 residents in a year's time.

The remaining population increase was attributed to unknown factors.

From the April 2000 census to July 1, 2008, Hawai'i's population grew an estimated 6.3 percent, or by 76,660 people. The state ranked 25th in terms of percentage change in population during that period.

The census data show that Hawai'i remains the 42nd most populous state.

Utah was the nation's fastest-growing state between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, as its population climbed 2.5 percent to 2.7 million, according to Census Bureau estimates.

Arizona was the second fastest-growing state, followed by Texas, North Carolina and Colorado.

Nevada, which had been among the four fastest-growing states in each of the past 23 years, grew 1.8 percent and ranked eighth over the most recent period.

Texas gained more people than any other state between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, (484,000), followed by California (379,000), North Carolina (181,000), Georgia (162,000) and Arizona (147,000).

The only two states to lose population were Michigan and Rhode Island.

California remained the most populous state, with about 36.8 million people on July 1, 2008. Rounding out the top five states were Texas (24.3 million), New York (19.5 million), Florida (18.3 million) and Illinois (12.9 million).