The economy may be in shambles, and people can't sell their homes, but Raleigh and Cary were still among the 10 fastest-growing American cities last year, new census figures show. However, next year's numbers may be telling.
"As of July 2008, Cary ranked third among cities with 100,000 people or more. Its growth rate of nearly 7 percent came in behind only New Orleans and Round Rock, Texas, near Austin,"
said McClatchy.
"Raleigh ranked eighth, with a growth rate of 3.8 percent. ...
"The numbers, released today, are another confirmation that the Triangle's growth continued even as the economy began to slow. But the state must wait to learn how it has fared in the severe recession that has gripped North Carolina and the nation in the past year. ...
"State demographer Jennifer Song said that the influx of newcomers that has driven North Carolina's boom for the past 15 years likely has slowed since the census data were collected. ...
"Song said the state will continue to grow, because its birth rate is almost double its death rate. More than 1 million babies were born in North Carolina in the year that ended in mid-2008, while 600,000 people died."
Nationally, New Orleans can claim the largest long-term loss in population -- but the greatest short-term gain.
"New Orleans lost more than half its residents during the deluge [of Hurricane Katrina]. Few large U.S. cities have ever had to cope with a disaster on that scale. Since then, it has been one of the country's fastest growing cities," said CNN.
"New Orleans is now growing rapidly. Its population is up 8.2% in the 12 months that ended July 1, 2008, gaining 23,740 people to 311,853, according to the Census Bureau. That still leaves it well below its pre-storm population of 484,674."