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2011 Population Estimates Show Gains in South, West

View 2011 population estimates for all counties and metro areas, released today by the Census Bureau.

New Census Bureau estimates published today show many counties recently experienced sizable swings in population.

The data is the first release of population figures for counties and metropolitan areas since the 2010 Census, current as of July 2011. Much of the areas reporting the largest gains are in the southern and western regions of the country.

Estimates show Texas reported the largest recent population spike of any state, up 2.1 percent. The state is home to 18 of the nation’s 100 fastest-growing counties.

Harris County, Texas, gained an estimated 88,452 residents – the largest raw increase of any county. The county’s birth rate more than tripled its death rate, according to census data.

For metropolitan areas, the largest population jumps occurred in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington and Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown areas.

Regions of California also reported significant increases, with 15 of the 100 fastest-growing counties in the state. Los Angeles County, Calif., added 70,451 residents – second only to Harris County.

After Texas, Utah (1.9 percent), Alaska (1.8 percent) and Colorado (1.7 percent) also experienced significant state population growth. The District of Columbia's 2.7 percent increase topped all states.

The map below shows the fastest growing counties by percent change. Drag to pan the map and click a county to view detailed data.

View a larger version of the map

 
Percent change since 2010 Census
 
 
 
 
 
 
< -1% -0.1 to -1% No Change   < +1% +1 to 3% > +3%

 

Counties with the largest raw population increase:



County 2011 Estimate 2010-2011 Change Percent change
Harris County, Texas 4,180,894 88,452 2.2
Los Angeles County, California 9,889,056 70,451 0.7
Maricopa County, Arizona 3,880,244 63,127 1.7
Miami-Dade County, Florida 2,554,766 58,331 2.3
Riverside County, California 2,239,620 49,979 2.3
Dallas County, Texas 2,416,014 47,875 2.0
Orange County, California 3,055,745 45,513 1.5
San Diego County, California 3,140,069 44,756 1.4
Bexar County, Texas 1,756,153 41,376 2.4
Tarrant County, Texas 1,849,815 40,776 2.3
Travis County, Texas 1,063,130 38,858 3.8
Hillsborough County, Florida 1,267,775 38,549 3.1
King County, Washington 1,969,722 38,473 2.0
Broward County, Florida 1,780,172 32,106 1.8
San Bernardino County, California 2,065,377 30,167 1.5
Collin County, Texas 812,226 29,885 3.8
Fulton County, Georgia 949,599 29,016 3.2
Wake County, North Carolina 929,780 28,787 3.2
Kings County, New York 2,532,645 27,945 1.1
Santa Clara County, California 1,809,378 27,736 1.6
 

Mike Maciag is Data Editor for GOVERNING.
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