California still growing - but slower

Demographers are taking note of the dwindling numbers coming into California from other states. Between 2005 and 2006, net immigration statewide was just 146,000, according to the state Department of Finance. This slowdown was quite apparent in L.A. County, which saw its population increase by 63,497 between 2005 and 2006 - mostly through births and new arrivals from other countries as opposed to new arrivals from other states. All told, the county has a population of 10,292,385 and grew 0.62 percent. The state gained 462,000 new residents this year, a 1.25 percent increase. Total population is 37.4 million. The high cost of real estate is an obvious culprit for the slow growth from other states - as well as the loss of decent-paying manufacturing jobs. SF Chronicle Fastest growing counties on the jump.