Maryland's population rose to nearly 5.46 million this year, a 1.3 percent increase in line with the growth rates of other mid-Atlantic states, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released yesterday.

Most of the growth came from births, said Melissa Therrien, a Census Bureau demographer. Maryland had about 31,000 more births than deaths. Another source of growth was 25,000 people migrating from other states.

The Census Bureau estimated that Maryland received 16,000 immigrants.

The estimates, which are based on the 2000 census and other population data and figure in federal funding for states, indicated that Maryland added 72,058 residents from July 1, 2001, to July 1, 2002.

According to the figures, the state's growth rate was slightly higher than the country's. The United States added 3.1 million people for a total of 288.4 million people, a 1.1 percent increase.

Most of the nation's growth stemmed from populations rising in the five fastest-growing states, which are Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Texas and Georgia. Nevada's population rose the most, 3.6 percent, or 2.2 million people.

In something of a surprise, Therrien said, Texas replaced Colorado as one of the country's five fastest-growing states.