60 million more Californians by 2060

Immigrants and their children will account for more than half the country's population growth over the coming half-century, according to a study released Thursday.Lisa Friedman in the Daily News.

The examination of new census figures by the Center for Immigration Studies found that U.S. population levels, currently hovering around 301 million, will shoot up to 468 million by 2060. California alone, meanwhile, could be home to more than 60 million.

Immigrants - both legal and illegal - as well as their descendants are expected to make up about 105 million, or 63 percent, of the national increase.

"It's important to understand where we're headed in population size and why. The why is largely, but not exclusively, immigration," said Steven Camarota, author of the report.