QuoteFlorida may not be the magnet it once was - at least not according to the latest Census Bureau estimates.
Over the 12-month period ending July 1, Florida still grew, but at a slower pace than usual. According to figures released Thursday, the state's population increased by 1.1 percent to 18.3 million. Over the previous 12-month period, the growth rate was 1.8 percent.
Greg Harper, a demographer with the Census Bureau, called Florida's diminished growth - its growth rate ranked 19th last year compared to ninth the previous year - "a little surprising."
full article: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2007/12/27/1227growth.html (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2007/12/27/1227growth.html)
Texas now has the honor, second is California. I think Austin maybe leading the nation!
Not suprising, considering the high number of residential projects drying up statewide.
Other interesting tidbits.
1. Louisiana's population is coming back. Its now only 200,000 below the pre Katrina numbers.
2. New Orleans' now has 300,000 residents. Before Katrina it had 455,000. 3,000 to 4,000 residents are moving back to the city per month.
3. Nevada is the fastest growing state in the country. Arizona is number 2.
4. Michigan and Rhode Island are the only two states to lose residents over the past year.
5. Georgia is the South's fastest growing state percentage wise.
I wonder if Katrina and Rita had anything to do with the new stats in particular do those two events keep people from moving to Jacksonville, FLorida.
I think Katrina would have had more of an impact on last year's estimates.
Fastest growing by real numbers.
1. Texas +500,000
2. California +300,000
3. Florida +200,000
Florida, in particular Jacksonville, Florida has great weather for the most part and because of it's location hardly ever gets hit by weather events like Katrina.
I fear our day is comming though. A storm of Katrina's, Floyd's, or Andrew's scale would very easily devastate our region. By today's standards, Jacksonville/St. Augustine is not nearly as prepared as our friends to the south that have weathered more of these storms.
One of the best signs that a large storm hasn't hit this area in a VERY long time is to look at the trees. Especially, the larges number tall, thick trunked pines. Most of these are Slash Pines, they grow in coastal areas, but are very vulnerable to breaking, I have never seen such a large number of old growth Slash Pines in any area of the coastal South. Also, our stately Live Oaks, yes they are in the top 10 strongest trees in the South, probably number 1, thats not palms, but they too are vulnerable, especially the older they get. Just look at the Treaty Oak, not much damage to it at all, and frankly, thats a bad sign. If a storm, hell category 1, this city will fall to its knees. Trees would be our biggest enemy here in JAX, followed by storn surge. Just look around the the Operation Reality Check colored poles around town.
Exactly. There aren't too many areas that go as long as we have without a major weather event. Dora in '69 was the last big storm to hit the area and that wasn't even a big one (I think it was a cat 3 at landfall). NE Florida has been lucky, IMO and we should probably start getting serious about planning for a catastrophic event.
Quote from: thelakelander on December 27, 2007, 09:26:02 PM
I think Katrina would have had more of an impact on last year's estimates.
Fastest growing by real numbers.
1. Texas +500,000
2. California +300,000
3. Florida +200,000
Correction, we've been passed by our neighbor to the North. I assume Metro Atlanta is still growing rapidly and fueling Georgia's growth. The Texas cities probably haven't been seriously affected by the slowing residential market either.
1. Texas - 497,000
2. California - 303,000
3. Georgia - 203,000
4. Florida - 194,000
First of all, I doubt any interim census numbers or estimates, especially one which shows that Georgia's population growth in absolute terms is greater than Florida's. I will wait until the real numbers come out after the 2010 census to see what really happened. These estimates have been shown in the past to be way off. Secondly, how long can metro-Atlanta sustain the entire state's growth? I mean that place is so sprawled there must be some point at which the new suburbs are too far out for new transplants. Who knows? I guess we will see in 2010.
intersting so what the 2010 projections for our area
Quote from: RiversideGator on December 28, 2007, 02:58:11 PM
First of all, I doubt any interim census numbers or estimates, especially one which shows that Georgia's population growth in absolute terms is greater than Florida's. I will wait until the real numbers come out after the 2010 census to see what really happened. These estimates have been shown in the past to be way off. Secondly, how long can metro-Atlanta sustain the entire state's growth? I mean that place is so sprawled there must be some point at which the new suburbs are too far out for new transplants. Who knows? I guess we will see in 2010.
I agree River, but you'd be surprised with the insanity of industries that still move to Atlanta. It's become such a major hub, companies are afraid to leave its conveniences. I've already noticed this with health care industry giants like Kimberly-Clark, GE, and others. Still, it would be a cold day in hell before I moved there...I'll be looking into positions for Jax's area hospitals and health care companies in a year or two in order to boost the city and state's population +3. ;)
Quote from: reednavy on December 28, 2007, 10:24:49 AM
One of the best signs that a large storm hasn't hit this area in a VERY long time is to look at the trees.
True. I lived at Challen Avenue and Avondale Avenue when the storms came thru a few years back. 15 days without power! I was not happy. Mrs. Blake, who owns the property at the corner there had all these old pines that when the storms came thru fell over taking out every light post for the entire block. It took the city forever to get to our block since they had to order all the new poles. Apparently if you lived near a hospital you get faster service with the restore.
Wait a minute. Are you saying this is a BAD thing? Hell, as far as I'm concerned everyone in this state can stop having babies and the population remain stagnant for the next 15 years...no crazy new fly-by-night developments going up next to the interstate, no traffic congestion, no overly populated schools. All sounds good to me.
It's bad if the not managed. Most important thing to consider is are we managing our growth and the answer I think is no.