Los Gatos' Population Grows by 1 Percent

Los Gatos grew by 281 people from 2010-11, according to census reports released Friday by the California Department of Finance.

The report, which uses the  data as a benchmark, shows Los Gatos growing from a total population of 29,370 in 2010 to a total population of 29,651 as of January 2011, a 1 percent growth.

In early March, U.S. Census Bureau numbers showed that the

The report released Friday reveals population growth in Los Gatos from January 2010 through January 2011, a yearly comparison.

"Our basis is consistent with the 2010 census," said Daniel Sheya, a demographic specialist with the California Department of Finance. 

For small towns like Los Gatos, Sheya said, the numbers reveal population is increasing at a very slow rate. "It means things aren't changing that much.

"It's what's been happening for the past two years statewide."

Sheya explained when California hit the housing crisis, there was a big movement of people leaving the state, and population growth has remained stable as the economy continues to improve.

Today's report also showed that California has 37,511,000 residents as of Jan. 1, 2011. The state grew by almost 287,000 new residents in 2010.

The report includes 481 California cities, of which 442 had gains in population, 32 lost population and seven experienced no change.