All but two of the nation’s 50 fastest-growing metropolitan areas between April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2006, are located in West and South regions, according to a recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau. St. George, Utah, was the fastest-growing metro area in the U.S., experiencing nearly 40% growth during the six-year period, according to the report. In California, nine metro areas were among the top 50 list, including Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (23.7%), Stockton (19.4%), Madera (18.9%), Bakersfield (17.9%), Merced (16.7%), Yuba City (16.3%), Sacramento-Arden-Roseville (15%), Modesto (14.6%), and Visalia-Porterville (14.1%).

With 13 million residents, the Los Angeles metropolitan continues to be the second most populous metro area in the nation, according to the report. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana region gained more than 584,500 people during the six-year period between April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2006.