Census Data Reveals 2016 Population Winners and Losers

The U.S. Census released its 2016 population data today. It feels a lot like a popularity contest.

3 minute read

May 25, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


texas

Conroe City, Texas was the fastest growing city in the United States in 2016. | By sevenMaps7 / Shutterstock

The U.S. Census today announced new population estimates. On the Census Bureau website, the headlining news from the new report was that ten of the 15 fastest growing cities in 2016 are located in the South.

Conroe, Texas (near Houston), was the fastest-growing large city (population of 50,000 or more) between 2015 and 2016 at 7.8 percent, making its growth rate more than 11 times the nation’s growth rate of 0.7 percent. Some of the other fastest-growing cities were: Frisco, Texas (6.2 percent); McKinney, Texas (5.9 percent); Greenville, S.C. (5.8 percent); and Georgetown, Texas (5.5 percent).

A few more of the big takeaways from the report, as presented by the Census Bureau's announcement, include:

  • Columbus, Ohio passing Indianapolis to become the 14th most populous city in the country.
  • Regional differences in population change of small towns: 1) Northeast small towns declined by 0.5 percent, 2) Midwest small towns declined by 0.3 percent, 3) Small towns in the South grew by 0.2 percent, and 4) Western small towns saw the largest growth with an increase of 0.8 percent.
  • League City, Texas was the only city to cross the 100,000 population mark in 2016. Five cities (Aliso Viejo, California; Parker, Colorado; Logan, Utah; Cerritos, Colorado; and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) crossed the 50,000 mark.

Housing unit growth remains below pre-Recession levels in every state except North Dakota, Iowa, and the District of Columbia.

The Washington Post picked up the news, reporting on the national trends and focusing on the growth of suburban areas relative to cities. "In the tug of war between the suburbs and the city, the suburbs are once again on top, growing faster than cities for the first time since 2010," writes Tara Bahrampour in the lede of the article.

Mary Bowerman also reported on the country's fastest growing cities for USA Today.

Lyman Stone also wrote of how population estimates tend to be revised lower in cities where immigration is driving population growth. That tendency held true with today's release.  

Finally, many local media outlets picked up the news of the new population estimates all over the country. Here is a sample of local stories:

Thursday, May 25, 2017 in U.S. Census Bureau

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.