Mich population up, first since 2004

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan says its estimated population grew 2012, the first increase in the measure for the state since 2004.

U.S. Census figures detailed Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget say Michigan's new 2012 population estimate is 9,883,360. That number is up from a population estimate of 9,876,801 in 2011 and 9,877,670 in 2010.

Despite the increase, Michigan said it was overtaken by Georgia as the nation's eighth largest state and is expected to be passed by North Carolina in 2014.

The state says net migration continued to improve for Michigan, which had lost population in recent years in part due to its reliance on the ailing manufacturing sector. Michigan also lost a congressional seat after seeing its population decline in the 2010 census.