Author: Nicole Kennedy
The U.S. Census Bureau released population by Metro areas last week and North Carolina was noted as the ninth most-populous state, rising from its 10th position between 2013 and 2014.
Two counties in North Carolina were touted as being among the nation’s top 50 numerical gaining metro areas — Wake and Mecklenburg. Wake County, notably the home of Raleigh, the state capital, added 24,000 people over the year, while Mecklenburg County, home to Charlotte, added approximately 20,000 people. Raleigh was also among the 20 fastest-growing metro areas by percent change at 2.3.
In the Census Bureau’s list of the 100 Fastest-Growing U.S. Counties with 10,000 or More Population Between July 1, 2013 and July 1, 2014, six were in North Carolina: 30th, Brunswick County (118,836); 38th, Chatham County (68,698); 46th, Union County (218,568); 72nd, Wake County (998,691); 80th, Cabarrus County (192,103); 85th, Currituck County (24,976).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-56.html
Notes: The U.S. Census Bureau develops county, metro area, and micro area population estimates by measuring population change since the most recent census. The Census Bureau uses births, deaths, administrative records, and survey data to develop estimates of population. For more detail regarding the methodology, see https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/technical-documentation/methodology.html.
The Office of Management and Budget's statistical area delineations (for metro and micro areas) are those issued by that agency in February 2013. Metro areas contain at least one urbanized area of 50,000 or more population, and micro areas contain at least one urban cluster of at least 10,000 (but less than 50,000) population. Both metro and micro areas consist of one or more whole counties or county equivalents.