"The state has a very strong economy right now; our employment growth is also fifth in the nation — over twice the national average," he said. "Pretty much every sector of the economy is growing."

The Census Bureau showed Utah gained an estimated 35,611 people through natural growth (the difference between births and deaths). Utah gained 8,179 people through international migration and 4,970 through domestic migration, according to the estimates.

While migration is accounting for a large chunk of Utah's population growth now, Spendlove said during the past 50 years, three-fourths of the state's population growth has been due to natural increase.

Among the report's findings:

• The nation's 10 most-populous states accounted for 54 percent of the population.

• California remained the nation's largest state, with an estimated population of 36.1 million. Texas was second with a population of 22.9 million, followed by New York with 19.3 million.

• Florida's estimated population growth of 404,000 people was the nation's largest numerical growth. Texas was second, gaining 388,000.

• Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia saw slight declines in population.

Every 10 years, the 435 seats in the House of Representatives are divided among the states based on population counts in the census. The numbers also are used to divvy up votes in the Electoral College, used in presidential elections.

Clark Bensen of Polidata, a Virginia firm that crunches political data, said population shifts over the past 65 years have dramatically changed the regional makeup of Congress.

In 1940, Northeastern and Midwestern states had a total of 251 seats in the House, compared with 184 for states in the South and West. Today, Southern and Western states have the edge, 252-183.

Kim Brace of Election Data Services, a firm that also crunches political numbers, said population shifts can affect the regional issues that preoccupy Washington.

"The old industrial-era towns and their particular issues are no longer holding as much sway in Congress," Brace said. "There are less people speaking their message."

Water access and land management, big issues in the West and Southwest, could get even more attention in the future, Brace said.

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Contributing: Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com