Nevada's population is steadily growing, even though some of its rural counties are shrinking.
Nevada State Demographer Jeff Hardcastle said Wednesday that the state grew an estimated 1.5%, or more than 42,000, in the yearlong period that ended in July 2014.
That's roughly the same pace as the year before, and higher than the 1% rate for the year ending in mid-2012.
Clark County added nearly 38,000 people in the year ending in mid-2014 and logged a 1.9% growth rate. Washoe County grew 1%.
But rural areas including Carson City, Churchill and Storey counties lost people.
Hardcastle says births are playing a role in population growth, and more immigration may also be a factor. The state's current population is 2,843,301. (AP)
