by Valorie H. Rice
Senior Specialist, Business Information
Current data releases as of 19 December 2018
Nevada and Idaho are the fastest-growing states in the nation followed by Utah and Arizona based on Census Bureau annual population estimates for the U.S. and states released on December 19. The U.S. population grew by 0.6% between July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018. Nevada and Idaho both posted 2.1% growth and Arizona population grew 1.7% according to the Census estimates. Of the ten states with the largest percent growth, seven were western states – Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Washington, Colorado, and Texas. Nine states, plus Puerto Rico, had decreasing population over the year, with West Virginia losing the most population at -0.6%. The release also includes estimates for the number of residents over age 18. From this, we can infer which states have the highest percentage of under 18 population. These range from 29.5% in Utah to 18.5% in Vermont. Arizona still has a higher percent of children in the population than the U.S., at 22.9% compared to 22.4%.
Arizona’s population is now 7,076,199 based on July 1, 2018 estimates released by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity in mid-December. Queen Creek, Buckeye, Florence and Sahuarita were among the places with the most growth in Arizona. Queen Creek and Sahuarita, which grew 22.5% and 5.3% respectively, annexed areas around them as well as adding new residents. Pinal was the county adding the most population at 3.0% growth.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis released prototype GDP at the county level for 2012-2015 on December 12. GDP within Arizona was highest in Maricopa County in 2015, followed by Pima and Coconino. La Paz had the lowest GDP within the state.
The Consumer Price Index was steady in November with no change over-the-month. The drop in gasoline prices was offset by increases for used cars and trucks as well as shelter according to the December 12 Bureau of Labor Statistics release. All items minus food and energy rose 0.2% for the month. The annual inflation rate was 2.2% for November.
The U.S. added 155,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in November with job gains in health care, manufacturing, and transportation and warehousing. Employment gains averaged 170,000 per month over the last three months according to the December 7 Bureau of Labor Statistics release. Average hourly earnings increased 3.1% over-the-year for November. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.7%.
The U.S. trade deficit increased to $55.5 billion in October, the highest it has been in ten years. Exports decreased $0.3 billion to $211.0 billion in October while imports rose to $266.5 billion. The year-to-date deficit of goods and services was 11.4% higher than the same period a year ago according to the December 6 joint release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau.
