Suburban Growth Slows Near Washington, D.C.

Both Loudon and Fairfax Counties in Virginia are growing, but at a slower rate, due to more people moving out of the counties aslong with fewer relocating to the counties. According to William Frey of the Brookings Institution, "There's still growth in the Washington region, and there's still migration from the inside of the doughnut to the periphery. But it's kind of slacking."

Some local officials question the latest census data. For example in Maryland's Prince George's County, census data show that population dropped by 1,449 in 2006. However, Joseph Valenza, an economist for the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission, says, "For the last several years, there's been roughly two births for every death here. In addition, we're seeing the volume of residential construction rather steady, and there's been indications that there's an uptick in vacancy rates." Valenza said that local figures have shown an annual population increase of about 1 percent in recent years.