California Department of Finance released figures Thursday that show population increases over the last year. Milpitas had the largest percentage of growth in Santa Clara County, showing a 4.43 percent increase from Jan. 1, 2007. On that day the city's population was estimated at 66,472.

As of Jan. 1, 2008, the state reported Milpitas' population had increased to 69,419, a difference of 2,947. Milpitas gained eight new residents a day during the growth period.

City of Gilroy had the second-largest population increase at 3 percent.

Monte Sereno had the smallest growth at just .5 percent.

Santa Clara County overall experienced a 1.75 percent increase, with a population of 1,837,075. In 2006 the county's population was reported at 1,805,314.

California on the whole had a 1.3 percent population increase, with 38,049,462 residents this year. It was reported the state had 37,559,440 in 2006.