Wyoming population is continuing to grow, increasing by one percent in 2013.  That’s according to a new report by the Department of Information and Administration.  Senior economist Amy Bittner says migration to cities in the energy-rich central part of the state accounted for most of the growth.   

“Several of those towns at the top of the list are in the central part of Wyoming,” she says.  “You have Bar Nunn, you have Mills, which is also outside Casper, and then you have Douglas.  You know, that’s due to the economic activity with the energy industry.”

Bar Nunn grew nine percent last year -- the fastest growth in the state.  Mills was a distant second at three percent growth. Bittner says Natrona County in general is setting records.   “When the county estimates came out a couple months ago, Natrona County ranked the sixth fastest growing metro area in the nation.”

Jackson also saw more people moving in because of a strong tourism season that improved the job market. 

There were places that saw a decline in population, though. Bittner says weak natural gas prices contributed to a slight migration out of Sublette County.