Hawaii’s population increased by 12.3 percent to almost 1.4 million residents in the past decade, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released yesterday.

The growth spurt allowed Hawaii to overtake Maine and New Hampshire to become the 40th most populous state.

However, the increase was not enough to earn Hawaii an additional seat in the U.S. House.

One main function of the decennial census is to evenly distribute the 435 seats in the House among the 50 states. While Texas, for example, gained four seats and New York and Ohio lost two apiece this year due to their relative populations, Hawaii will stay at two House seats.

Yesterday’s data show that one U.S. representative will represent on average 710,767 people. Each U.S. representative from Hawaii represents on average 683,431 people.

Hawaii’s 12.3 percent growth rate over the past decade exceeded the national growth rate of 9.7 percent (to 308.7 million people).

Hawaii’s population grew at an annual rate of 1.2 percent in the last decade. That is more than the 0.9 percent annual growth rate from 1990 to 2000, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Hawaii’s population was at 1,360,301 as of April 1 — a gain of 148,764 people since the 2000 census.

Hawaii now has more residents than Maine; New Hampshire; Rhode Island; Montana; Delaware; South Dakota; Alaska; North Dakota; Vermont; Washington, D.C.; and Wyoming, the least populous state.

There are 211.8 people per square mile, which places Hawaii as 15th in the nation in terms of population density, the same spot it held in 2000.

The state’s Research and Economic Analysis Division said the faster growth this past decade might be linked to economic growth at the beginning of the decade.

Hawaii’s economy grew at an annual rate of 4.1 percent between 2001 and 2006, according to the state.

Even with the recent recession, Hawaii’s economy grew at a rate of 2.3 percent a year in the past decade. Hawaii’s economy saw no growth between 1990 and 2000, according to the state’s analysis.

More detailed data on the demographics and characteristics of Hawaii’s population are scheduled to be released in March by the U.S. Census Bureau. Census figures for Guam and American Samoa will also be released next year.