Washington population grows to nearly 7.2 million

Associated Press

OLYMPIA — State officials say Washington’s population grew by an estimated 1.73 percent over the past year — the largest percentage increase since 2007.

The Office of Financial Management said Thursday the number of people in Washington increased by 122,300 to 7,183,700.

Migration was the big reason for the spike in population. From 2015 to 2016, OFM said net migration to the state totaled 87,100, compared to 57,600 the previous year.

Nearly 80 percent of the state’s total population increase occurred in the five largest metropolitan counties — Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane.