Business First: Columbus population is growing

Friday, September 10, 2010, 11:21am EDT

Columbus, Cleveland mark population change extremes

Business First of Columbus

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Columbus enjoys a lofty ranking as a growing city, according to the latest Census Bureau population report, but that is hardly the case 140 miles to the north in Cleveland.

Central Ohio’s largest city added 9,972 residents between 2008 and last year and increased by 55,914 residents since the start of the millennium, according to revised population estimates released Friday by the government. The gain between 2000 and 2009 put Columbus at 35th on the list of fastest-growing cities, but it dropped to 16th largest in the nation from 15th at the turn of the decade.

The Census Bureau issued revised 2009 estimates for 19,507 cities, towns and incorporated communities. These figures are not to be confused with the results of the 2010 census, which are scheduled to be released next year.

New Orleans registered the nation’s biggest nine-year decline in population, largely because of the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Its population plummeted by 129,824 between 2000 and 2009.

On the Big Easy’s heels was Cleveland, which lost 46,094 residents from 2000 to last year to 431,369. That made it the 43rd-largest city in the nation in 2009 from 34th nine years earlier.

Behind Cleveland in population loss for the nine years were Chicago, with a loss of 44,749; Detroit (-40,349); Pittsburgh (-22,791); Buffalo, N.Y. (-22,408); Memphis, Tenn. (-14,103); Baltimore (-13,736); Flint, Mich. (-13,468); and Dearborn, Mich. (-13,128).

The nation’s largest city, New York, also posted the biggest population increase between 2000 and 2009, adding 383,195 residents. Its estimated 2009 population was 8.4 million.

Following New York on the list were Houston, a gain of 284,199; Phoenix (271,221); San Antonio (213,752); Fort Worth, Texas (184,239); Charlotte, N.C. (136,479); Los Angeles (136,442); Atlanta (122,099); Austin, Texas (118,137); and Raleigh, N.C. (117,150).

The Census Bureau first released 2009 population estimates for cities and towns in June. Changes in the number of residences in roughly 6,000 communities triggered the revisions that were issued Friday.

Click here for the findings.

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