LEWISTON – Migration from other states accounted for most of Maine’s population growth between July 2001 and July 2002, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Census Bureau estimates the state’s population during that stretch grew 0.8 percent, from 1,284,470 to 1,294,464.

Of the population increase, 8,429 people moved to Maine from other states and 1,001 moved from other countries for a total net migration of 9,430. The remaining increase of 672 came from natural growth – the difference between births and deaths.

“That’s really good news,” said Laurie Lachance, state economist. “The ’90s were just abysmal” because many people left and only a trickle came in.

Migration into Maine grew from the previous year. Between July 1, 2000, and July 1, 2001, 1,025 people relocated from other countries and 5,595 moved from other states for a total net migration of 6,620.

Maine had the country’s lowest figure for natural population growth. During the 12-month period, the state had 12,831 deaths and 13,503 births.

Maine had the third-lowest birth rate in the country.

Charles Colgan, a professor of public policy and management at the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School, predicts that deaths will outpace births in Maine by 2015. Two years ago, Colgan thought that would happen in 2017, but he adjusted his forecast last year.

According to Census Bureau estimates, the fastest growth rate was in Nevada, where the population rose 3.6 percent to 2.2 million. The state has been the fastest-growing for 16 years.

Only the District of Columbia and North Dakota experienced population declines. The population fell 0.5 percent to 571,000 in the District, and 0.4 percent to 634,000 in North Dakota.

New Hampshire’s population increased 1.2 percent and Vermont’s was up 0.6 percent.

In southern New England, Rhode Island had the largest population increase at 0.9 percent. The growth rate was 0.8 percent in Connecticut and 0.4 in Massachusetts.