Iowa gained 27,329 people in the two years ending July 1, its 0.9 percent about half the national average, according to Census data released today.

Iowa was the 35th in growth in the Census’ annual state estimate, although its growth outpaced the Midwest’s 0.6 percent.

Iowa’s official population is 3,074,186. The nation gained 5.1 million, to 313,914,040.

North Dakota was the fastest-growing state, gaining 2.17 percent for the year, 4 percent over two years. The fastest growers:

Percent Change

1.         North Dakota                              2.17

2.         District of Columbia                 2.15

3.         Texas                                           1.67

4.         Wyoming                                    1.60

5.         Utah                                           1.45

6.         Nevada                                        1.43

7.         Colorado                                     1.39

8.         Arizona                                       1.33

9.         Florida                                          1.23

10.       South Dakota                              1.19

Texas gained the most people:

Numeric Change

1.         Texas                                       427,400

2.         California                                357,500

3.         Florida                                     235,300

4.         Georgia                                   107,500

5.         North Carolina                        101,000

6.         Arizona                                   86,000

7.         Virginia                                   81,500

8.         Washington                             73,700

9.         Colorado                                 71,300

10.         New York                               68,600

US Census annual population estimate