From Texas Government Insider, June 25:

'Big D' area growing: Census Bureau cites 2009 population figures

Latest numbers come while 2010 decennial count still under way nationwide
 
"Big D" is getting bigger! According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau figures, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has added more residents in the last 10 years than any other area in the country. The area's population grew by about 25 percent, or 1.3 million people from April 2000 to July 2009.
 

In fact, four of the state's cities - Austin, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio - were among the top nine cities throughout the country with the largest population increases during the year beginning in July 2008. The city with the largest population gain nationwide was once again Houston.
 
Don't confuse these figures with the decennial census which is currently under way. Those numbers are still being tabulated. While the U.S. Census Bureau in many cases mailed more than one census form to many residences across the country in an effort to have every resident counted, the bureau also sent census workers door-to-door to households that did not respond to the mailed forms.
 
Just this week, the Census Bureau reported that 98 percent of the 47 million households that failed to return their census forms have now been contacted in person by a census worker.
 
"Census numbers govern the distribution of more than $400 billion in federal funds each year and serve as the baseline for future post-census population estimates," said Census Bureau Director Robert Groves. Groves explained that local governments use census data to plan infrastructure, schools and emergency services while businesses use the data to develop new economic opportunities. The data is also used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
 
The numbers could well change when the final 2010 Census figures that lead to the distribution of such funds are delivered to the President in April of next year. But for now, Frisco (in the Dallas area), was tabbed as the fastest growing city in the country among cities with a population of more than 100,000. The city's average annual growth rate of 204 percent was also the nation's highest.
 
As for counties, Rockwall County (also near Dallas) was tabbed as one of the 10 fastest growing counties in the nation.
 
In neighboring Louisiana, the New Orleans population that was decimated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 continued its population growth. New Orleans' population grew to nearly 355,000 after an 18,000 increase in one year. However, the city has a long way to go yet to get back to its pre-Katrina population of nearly 455,000.
 

 
According to the article above, the Metroplex grew about 25% between 2000 and 2010. Garland grew about 6.4% over that period. Last year we grew about 1,250 (or, about ½%).
 

1 comment

Comments:

Comment from: Richard Bach [Visitor]

Rapid growth is great. Right? Perhaps stability and sustainability would be better so quality of life can be maintained. The growth brings more traffic congestion and air pollution. The Dallas area is looking to flood the hardwood forests of East Texas to provide water for a growing population. Is this a good thing? City services are being strained and can't keep up (especially in these economic times). Modest, sustainable growth that can be maintained within the substantial but finite resources of the region is better. Rapid growth just reduces the quality of life for everyone in the area. It is not something to be celebrated. But we love growth for growths sake. Perhaps we need to rethink growth.

07/01/10 @ 21:21

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