By AP/St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis – New Census Bureau figures show Missouri's population is growing at a slower rate than the national average. But the state is likely to keep all of its nine Congressional districts after the official count next year.
The Bureau estimates Missouri's population grew by about 31,000 people between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009. With a total population of almost 6 million, that equates to a growth rate of barely half a percent.
Nationally, the population grew by 0.86 percent during that same time.
The Census Bureau says Texas gained the most people during the past year. But the largest percentage growth occurred in Wyoming, followed by Utah.