The growing gets good
The US Census Bureau’s just-released population estimates for metropolitan areas suggest we’re a nation of sun seekers.
Of the 50 major US metros, 43 added residents in 2006, with the biggest gainers dotting the Sun Belt. Topping the list were Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Houston, and Riverside-San Bernadino, California. Of the 10 most moved-to metros in ’06, four were in Texas.
Then there are those, Portland among them, that are defying the trend and attracting residents with amenities other than relentless sunshine. In the top 15, joining the southern metros were Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Portland.
While the greater Portland region’s growth was a modest 2% from 2006-2007, Charlotte, Austin and Raleigh grew at the fastest clip – more than 4% each. The US overall grew by 1%.
The Portland region welcomed some 41,000 new residents in 2006 – nearly the same number that moved to twice-our-size Washington, D.C. The increase puts our estimated total at 2,175,113 residents and makes us the 23rd-largest major metro in the US.
More Metrofacts:
Biggest population losers in 2006 were the Rust Belt metros of…
Detroit (-27,000 residents)
Cleveland (-9,000 residents)
Pittsburgh (-7,500 residents)
Buffalo (-5,000 residents)
