The National Association of REALTORS® has just analyzed some population numbers, courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau, and in total, they bode well for future home sales.

Here they are at a glance:

The United States is adding one person every 13 seconds.
 
The rate of U.S. births is one every eight seconds, the highest birthrate in more than 40 years.
 
The rate of U.S. deaths is one every 11 seconds.
 
The rate of international migration to the United States is one every 30 seconds.

As a result, the nation's population in 2007 grew by about 3 million people, from about 300 million to 303 million. By contrast, Russia's population is shrinking by 700,000 to 800,000 citizens a year, and in Europe and in Japan, the number of workers is expected to decline by 14% and 18% respectively by 2030, according to U.S. Census projections.

Economists view population growth as critical to household formation, and, by extension, home ownership. "With a population increase of 3 million, household formation typically expands by up to 1.5 million," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

Yet in 2007, new U.S. household formation totaled only 650,000 units, half of the historical norm, according to Yun. So, where are these new additions to the U.S. population living? "Many people have evidently doubled up with roommates or have moved back in with family," Yun surmised.

That translates into pent-up housing demand. At some point, improving consumer confidence in the economy will break up the growing log jam at home, and that, NAR believes, is a good harbinger for the housing market.