The North Olympic Peninsula’s population has topped 97,000 people, according to the annual population estimates released this week by the state Office of Financial Management.

The current estimated population of 97,100 is a 7.3 percent increase over the 90,478 figure cited in the 2000 federal census and a 1.1 percent increase over last year’s 96,000 estimate.

The estimated population of Clallam County increased by 700 people over last year to 68,500.

That is 4,321 people, or 6.7 percent, more than the 64,179 recorded in the 2000 federal census.

The estimated population of Jefferson County increased by 400 people over last year to 28,600.

That is 2,301 people, or 8.7 percent more than the 26,299 recorded in the 2000 federal census.

Washington’s estimated population increased to almost 6.5 million in 2007, which is a 1.8 percent increase from 2006’s 6.4 million and a 10 percent increase from the nearly 5.9 million recorded in the 2000 census.

The state’s Office of Financial Management releases its annual population estimates – as of April 1 – for the state’s 281 cities and towns and 39 counties in late June.

The release date falls at the end of the state’s fiscal year as well as at the beginning of the budgeting process for cities and counties.

The estimates are based upon changes in school enrollment, housing, voter registrations, driver licenses and other data.