The economy is affecting Florida's population numbers, which are rising at a slower pace that most other states, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Monday.

While the gain in people was the sixth-largest in the nation, the percentage gain was the 30th-largest.

The numerical gain "is still a lot of people," University of Florida demographer Scott Cody said Monday. "But, clearly, we've had a slowdown in the housing market."

Cody said the news isn't good for the state's economy.

"Economic growth depends on population growth,"
he explained.

It marks one of the first times the state has slowed in growth.

Cody said Florida has typically added 3 million or more people each decade since the 1940s, when there were 1.8 million Floridians. So far this decade, however, we've added only 2.34 million.

Good or bad?

Whether adding more people is a good or bad thing depends on perspective, Cody said.

"Some say it's a good thing, because it brings additional people and services," he said. "Others say it's a bad thing, because it adds to crowding."

The slowdown, though, doesn't mean that Florida is losing residents.

Only two states dropped in population in the past year: Michigan and Rhode Island.

Florida remains the fourth most populous state in the country, behind California, Texas and New York.

Its population numerical gain in the last year ranked behind Texas, California, North Carolina, Georgia and Arizona.

The new Census data released Monday did not break down population changes by metropolitan area, county or city.