WASHINGTON -- America's population is increasing a bit faster thanks to an improving economy, but not enough to lift growth above its lowest level since the Great Depression.

New 2012 census estimates offer the latest snapshot of the U.S. population.

As a whole, the population grew by 2.3 million, reaching 313.9 million people. That growth of 0.75 percent was higher than 2011, ending five years of slowing growth rates. Nevertheless, growth remains stuck at the lowest levels since 1937, hurt by waning immigration and reduced childbirths.

Over the last year, North Dakota grew faster than any state in the nation, followed by the District of Columbia, Texas and Wyoming.

Two states lost population: Rhode Island and Vermont.