Census Bureau Daily Feature for Wednesday, December 31: New Year's Eve.

WASHINGTON -- Profile America -- Wednesday, December 31st. On this New Year's Eve, more than 305 million Americans of all ages are ready to greet the year 2009. Fifty years ago, the U.S. population was more than 174 million -- a century ago, it was just under 90 million. To show how fast the nation is growing, by this time tomorrow, there will be some 8,000 new babies on hand to welcome the new year. Not only is the population growing, it is moving to new locations. For several years, the fastest growing states have been in the West, and experts predict this trend will continue for several decades. Between now and 2030, the fastest growing states are projected to be Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Texas and Utah. The men and women of the U.S. Census Bureau wish you a happy, safe and prosperous new year.

Sources: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, p. 10 Statistical Abstract of the United States 2008, t. 14 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2008edition.html

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look under the "Newsroom" button). For further information, contact Rick Reed: 301-763-2812; fax: [phone]; or e-mail: richard.thomas.reed-at-census.gov.