MADISON, Wis. -- New estimates show Wisconsin's population increased less than 1 percentage point in 2007.

The state Department of Administration estimates the state's population grew 0.5 percent last year, which is an increase of 27,000 people. Since 2007, the state's population has grown nearly 6 percent.

The state's current population is estimated at nearly 5.7 million people.

State and local officials use the estimates for a variety of purposes, including the distribution of state funds, district attorney allocation and calculation of voter turnout.

Much of the growth has been in the Fox River Valley, parts of western Wisconsin, Dane County and the southeast.