(July 10, 2003) -- LB's population as of January 1, 2003 has reached 481,000.

That's the latest official updated figure from the State of CA Dept. of Finance Demographic Research Unit, which annually updates its data for all CA cities and counties in Report E-1 (the latest issued in May, 2003).

It shows LB's population grew 1.8% over its Jan. 1, 2002 level of 472,700.

The report indicates that as of Jan. 1, 2003, Lakewood's population was 82,300 (up from 81,300 a year earlier).

And Signal Hill has graduated to five-figure status: 10,300 residents (up from 9,925 a year earlier).

Meanwhile, L.A. County's population as of Jan. 1. 2003 was estimated at a staggering 9,979,600.