MORENO VALLEY – The population of Moreno Valley jumped by 32.7 percent between April 2000 and July 2007, making it the 18th fastest-growing city in the nation over that time, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures released Thursday.

As of July 1, 2007, Moreno Valley's population was 188,936, an increase of 46,555 people from April 1, 2000, the Census Bureau reported.

Between July 2006 and July 2007, the Moreno Valley population increased by 4 percent, making it the 15th fastest-growing city in the nation for year-over-year growth for cities with a population of more than 100,000.

Los Angeles easily maintained its position as the nation's second-most populous city. As of July 1, 2007, Los Angeles had a population of 3,834,340, while New York continued to top the list with 8,274,527 residents, according the Census Bureau. Chicago was third with 2,836,658 people.

The city of Irvine, with a population of 201,160, saw a population gain of 8,204 people between July 2006 and July 2007, a 4.3 percent gain that placed it 12th in the nation for year-over-year growth for cities with more than 100,000 residents.

Since April 2000, Irvine saw a population gain of 57,015, or 39.6 percent – making it the 11th fastest-growing city over that time.

New Orleans, still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, had the nation's fastest growth rate between 2006 and 2007, at 13.8 percent. The New Orleans population on July 1, 2007, was 239,124, up from 210,198 the previous year.

The city still has the largest rate of population loss since 2000, with the population in 2007 more than 50 percent lower than it was seven years earlier.

Other fast-growing California cities between 2006 and 2007 include Victorville, which placed second with 9.5 percent growth; Visalia, which placed 18th with a 3.6 percent jump in population; Bakersfield at 19th with a 3.3 percent rise; and Lancaster, which placed 32nd with a 2.7 percent increase.