2009 Metropolitan Area Census Estimates Released

[Captain Zissou]

stjr, I agree with your argument.

More people would hopefully indicate a larger tax base to put towards QOL projects.  Not necessarrily metro population, but city population.  QOL brings growth, not the other way around, but we do want our pop to go up!

[Wacca Pilatka]

Still relatively slow growth in our neck of the woods.  Something catastrophic has to happen from below Gainesville south in order for us to again be numero uno (hope that never happens).  Anyhoo, 40th metro is not bad; where do we place in the city population race?  Are we in the top 10?

"HU"

I haven't seen it but I doubt Jax has yet passed #12.

[tufsu1]

Still relatively slow growth in our neck of the woods.  

18% over 9 years is slow growth?

[heights unknown]

Compared to other cities nationwide and other metro areas in the State, yes.  In and of itself and singularly relative to Jax alone, it is gracious steady growth. We are a "slow growth" city and metro area; but maybe that's a good thing.  Don't want to become an instant "waste fart."

"HU"

[AaroniusLives]

We are a "slow growth" city and metro area; but maybe that's a good thing.  Don't want to become an instant "waste fart."

In no way, and by no measure, is the Jacksonville MSA remotely "slow growth." 18.5% is "fast growth." To put this another way, y'all absorbed around 20% more population in a decade. That's pretty huge. That you're starting from a smaller population base to begin with just makes it all the more challenging.

The Atlanta number is astonishing.

[tufsu1]

Heights....of the 49 other metros in the Top 50, only 13 grew at a faster rate than Jax.

As for the state, only Orlando was higher (27%)...Tampa Bay (15%) and SE Florida (11%) were both lower.

[tufsu1]

Compared to other cities nationwide and other metro areas in the State, yes. 

Heights....of the 49 other metros in the Top 50, only 13 grew at a faster rate than Jax.

As for the state, only Orlando was higher (27%)...Tampa Bay (15%) and SE Florida (11%) were both lower.

[reednavy]

We should be more focused on quality of life rather than population numbers.  Have QOL and population growth will follow.

Well no shit.

Honestly though, it is interesting to see the overall numbers and comapre to peer cities and such.

Atlanta can keep adding people into a metro that has nearly no descent mass transit outside of Fulton and a sliver of De Kalb Counties. Descent as in commuter or light rail, buses are your only option if you're too far from a MARTA station.

[CS Foltz]

But the Orlando region will have HSR.......so that should help right? Atleast Ratville will be able to move them faster in and out!!

[tufsu1]

But the Orlando region will have HSR.......so that should help right? Atleast Ratville will be able to move them faster in and out!!

well CS...Orlando also has a regional bus system (Lynx) and soon will have commuter rail too.

[heights unknown]

Heights....of the 49 other metros in the Top 50, only 13 grew at a faster rate than Jax.

As for the state, only Orlando was higher (27%)...Tampa Bay (15%) and SE Florida (11%) were both lower.

O.K. - I feel you and give in; maybe you're right, but those numbers are still not that astonishing and are at a smaller level compared to other cities/metros.

[ubben]

I like the term 'waste fart.' Orlando and Los Angeles both come to mind.

[Coolyfett]

population is not important??  lol @ QOL.....i hope jax can break the top 20 one day.

[AaroniusLives]

Heights....of the 49 other metros in the Top 50, only 13 grew at a faster rate than Jax.

As for the state, only Orlando was higher (27%)...Tampa Bay (15%) and SE Florida (11%) were both lower.

O.K. - I feel you and give in; maybe you're right, but those numbers are still not that astonishing and are at a smaller level compared to other cities/metros.

Politely don't agree. Almost all of Florida's MSA growth numbers were astonishing. South Florida, for example, took an already populated area and added about 500,000 new residents. That's around 50,000 new people a year. That Jacksonville's MSA "only" added about 20,000 new peeps a year over the last ten years is no less astonishing.

Still, it's the Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix growth numbers that utterly wow me. They added a million people to their population base, and more so in the case of Dallas. 

[stjr]

Overly rapid growth usually equates to under or poorly planned growth.  Lot's of planning train wreck stories from super hot growth areas.

I'll take measured, digestible growth anytime.  Good things take time and should be patiently savored.  Jax should age like fine wine, not sour overnight like milk left out for too long!