SEVEN CALIFORNIA CITIES AMONG NATION'S FASTEST GROWING

Seven cities in the Golden State rank among the top 25 cities with the fastest growth rates in the nation, according to a recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau. North Las Vegas, Nev., led the nation with an 11.9 percent population increase between July 2005 and July 2006. The fastest-growing city in California during the same time period was Lancaster, which experienced a 5 percent population increase. Other California cities listed in the top 25 include Bakersfield (14), Visalia (19), Irvine (20), Fontana (21), Elk Grove (24), and Palmdale (25).

California also is home to four of the nation's largest cities, according to the Census Bureau's report. With 3.8 million residents, Los Angeles remains the nation's second most populous city, while San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco rank eighth, 10th, and 14th, respectively.