TOPEKA - A new report shows the Kansas population growing more slowly than the nation and most other states.
     The U.S. Census Bureau is estimating that the population in Kansas grew by one-half of 1% from July 2011 to July 2012, while the nation's population grew by three-quarters of 1%.
     The Census Bureau said Kansas ranked 30th among states and the District of Columbia in population growth.
     According to the figures, Kansas gained 15,000 new residents to make its population almost 2.9 million.
     But North Dakota, the leader, saw its population grow nearly 2.2% during the same period.
     Among neighboring states, Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma saw greater growth than Kansas; Missouri lagged behind the Sunflower State.