The Raleigh-Cary area has made the most impressive climb since 2000 in the population rankings of metropolitan areas, according to estimates released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Raleigh-Cary, which ranked 59th in 2000, is 49th in the new standings with a population of almost 1.13 million, up from 797,000 in 2000. Raleigh-Cary's rise of 10 places in nine years is the biggest gain registered by any metro in the current top 50.
Buffalo and New Orleans, on the other hand, suffered the sharpest declines.
The Census Bureau released population estimates for all 940 metropolitan and micropolitan areas across the country on Tuesday. The figures do not come from the decennial census that is presently under way, but reflect the population situation as of July 1, 2009.
While Raleigh-Cary cracked the top 50, the Durham MSA, which includes Chapel Hill, crept up three spots to No. 102. Durham’s population grew to 501,228 as of July 1, 2009, from 426,293 in 2000. Durham’s population fell less than 10,000 short of from breaking into the top 100; Modesto, Calif., currently holds the No. 100 ranking with a population of 510,385.
Buffalo was 42nd in 2000, but is 50th now, a drop of eight places. New Orleans has also dropped eight places since the turn of the century – from 38th to 46th – mainly due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Other big gainers during the past decade were Las Vegas (up six places), Austin and Jacksonville (both up five) and Charlotte (up four).
Other significant declines occurred in Providence, R.I., which fell five places, and Milwaukee, which dropped four.
Source: Triangle Business Journal
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