Montana’s estimated population rose by 8,715 people, or by 0.9 percent, from mid-2013 to mid-2014, the U.S. Census Bureau reported this week.

As of July 1, 2014, Montana’s estimated population was 1,023,579, compared with 1,014,864 on July 1, 2013.

Montana remains ranked 44th in population.

The Treasure State ranks 18th among the states in percentage of growth from 2013 to 2014 and 36th in actual population growth.

North Dakota was the fastest growing state over the past year, showing a 2.2 percent increase.

The U.S. population increased by 2.4 million, or 0.75 percent, to 318.9 million people, over the same one-year period, according to census estimates.

Montana’s population as of April 1, 2010, was 989,415, according to the official census. It rose to 990,575 by the mid-2010 estimates and to 997,661 by the mid-2011 estimates.

Sometime between mid-2011 and mid-2012, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that Montana’s population had eclipsed the 1 million mark. The bureau estimated Montana’s population at 1,005,163 in mid-2012.

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