California’s population grew by 356,000 in 2013

California’s population grew nearly 1 percent in 2013 to exceed 38.3 million, with the highest growth rate in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Data released Wednesday by the state Department of Finance show California added 356,000 people last year. A more detailed population report released in December said births outpacing deaths was one factor in the growth rate.

Wednesday’s report says San Jose, the state’s third largest city behind Los Angeles and San Diego, hit 1 million residents for the first time.

Santa Clara County, which includes San Jose, was the fastest growing county at 1.5 percent, followed closely by Alameda County. In all, three of the five fastest-growing counties were in the Bay Area.

Despite the overall growth, rural counties such as Amador, Calaveras and Plumas, generally lost population.