St. George's, still the least densely populated parish, was the fastest growing parish since the 1991 census, while Pembroke retains the number one spot in population density but continues a downward trend in its population, according to the census report released yesterday.

Devonshire saw a net outflow of residents for the first time since the 1950s.

All the other parishes show a net increase in resident population.

There were 5,451 St. George's residents as of May, 2000, up from 4,623 in 1991 - an 18 percent increase.

Conversion of the former US baselands to civilian use accounts for most of the population increase in the east end parish as well as in Sandys, which saw a 13 percent growth rate and a 17 percent rise in occupied housing units.

In 1991, Sandys was host to a quarter of the military personnel who left 300 vacant units when they left a few years later. In addition 100 new homes were built between 1991 and 2000 when the census was taken.

The western parish tied with Hamilton as the parish with the second highest growth rate (13 percent). Hamilton had fewer military personnel, according to the report, but saw 150 new homes built and had 200 housing units vacant in 1991.

While only 49 new housing units were built in the parish, more than 200 homes, out of 496 Islandwide, formerly occupied by military personnel, became available in St. George's after the 1991 census.

Another 36 homes on Southside also became available for the local housing market, as did a significant portion of 162 houses that were vacant in 1991.

Island wide, the total resident population adds up to 62,059, up six percent from 1991, and that doess not count 39 homeless people. Fifty five percent of the total population are black (down from 58 percent in 1991), 34 percent white, six percent mixed and four percent identified as "other".

Among those born in Bermuda (71 percent of the total), blacks comprise 69 percent, whites 21 percent. And the overwhelming majority (66 percent) of the Island's 11,613 foreign born residents are white.

The statistics also reveal that Bermuda is an aged population with 11 percent (6,722) 65 or older. According to the report a population is considered aged if the elderly make up at least seven percent of the total. Seniors saw a 25 percent surge in its ranks, making it the fastest growing age segment between 1991 and 2000.

Following closely behind the seniors are the 45-64 year olds who grew by 23 percent and increased their share of the population from 20 percent to 24 percent.

In contrast, the numbers of people between 15 and 29 plunged 18 percent and now number 11,425.

The Island's youngest, under five years old, went from over 4,051 to 3,989, a two percent decline in absolute numbers, and reduced its share of the population to six percent from seven percent in 1991.

And the median age of the population, which has as many people younger as there are older, has shifted upwards to 37 from 33 in 1991.