Boise remains largest metro area in state
Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:09 PM PDT
BOISE (AP) — Idaho Falls was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Idaho between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, according to estimates released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Idaho Falls grew 3.2 percent in the year to 122,995 residents. Coeur d’Alene was second, growing 2.4 percent to 137,475 residents.
Boise, the state’s largest population center, grew 2.2 percent to 599,753 residents.
Pocatello grew 1.1 percent, and Lewiston 0.8 percent.
Metropolitan areas are a central city and the surrounding county or counties. The nationwide growth rate was 0.9 percent in the year, according to the Population Reference Bureau.
The Census also estimated populations for so-called micropolitan areas, smaller cities and surrounding counties. Twin Falls was the fastest-growing in Idaho, up 2.1 percent to 94,752 in the year.
Nationally, the Census reported that the nation’s economic crisis has resulted in fewer Americans moving to Sun Belt hot spots in Nevada, Arizona and Florida.
The latest population trends come as state and local governments are deciding where to pour billions of dollars in federal stimulus money to develop schools, roads, bridges and other infrastructure. The nation’s decennial head count, used to apportion House seats and redraw congressional districts, also is fast approaching.
Despite slowing migration, the South and West continued to account for the most growth in the past year.
Raleigh-Cary, N.C., and Austin-Round Rock, Texas, were the nation’s fastest-growing metro areas, registering growth rates of 4.3 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively.
The census estimates used local records of births and deaths, Internal Revenue Service records of people moving within the United States and census statistics on immigrants.
