By JIM SKEEN ANTELOPE VALLEY -- Lancaster's population increased by 3.8 percent last year and Palmdale's by 3 percent, making them among the fastest-growing cities in Los Angeles County, according to state population statistics released this week.

By JIM SKEEN\ Staff Writer PALMDALE - Lancaster's population increased nearly 4.1 percent last year and Palmdale's 3.8 percent, but Palmdale retained its lead in total population, according to state estimates released Wednesday.

PALMDALE - Palmdale grew 4.1 percent in population and Lancaster grew 3.5 percent last year, according to state estimates released Monday. That's No. 2 and 3 in Los Angeles County but well out of California's Top 10, where Palmdale was at or near the top in the late 1980s and early 1980s.