Census Bureau puts NC at No. 7 in 2030

[Tayfromcarolina]

Taken from Raleigh News and Observer 4/21/05Raleigh News and Observer

What do Georgia, New Jersey, Michigan and Ohio have in common? North Carolina will pass them all in population over the next 25 years, according to projections released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

More than 12 million people will live in the Tar Heel state by 2030, making it the country's seventh most-populous state. In 2000, North Carolina ranked 11th in population, with just over 8 million residents.

North Carolina's population will jump about 52 percent between 2000 and 2030, making it the seventh fastest-growing state in the country, just behind Idaho. Two states, Nevada and Arizona, will see their populations more than double, while North Dakota and West Virginia will have fewer residents.

LARGEST POPULATION, 2030

State, Millions, Growth since 2000

1. California, 46.4, +37.1%

2. Texas, 33.3, +59.8%

3. Florida, 28.7, +79.5%

4. New York, 19.5, +2.6%

5. Illinois, 13.4, +8.2%

6. Pennsylvania, 12.8, +4.0%

7. North Carolina, 12.2, +51.9%

8. Georgia, 12.0, +46.8%

9. Ohio, 11.6, +1.7%

10. Arizona, 10.7,+108.8% wow

[bobliocatt]

I can't believe Florida is still clearly outpacing the rest of the South at 79.5%, and the current state government is only considering more road expansion.

[Topher1]

Interesting, but I thought GA was still outpacing NC... Are they factoring in an Atlanta fizzle or something? Now that I think about it though, NC does have several advantages that will help it out once space becomes more precious... Many more developed cores that can all blossom simulataneously, and very importantly, a far superior university/higher-ed. infrastracture that will help to continue to attract people...

[teshadoh]

That is interesting - for some reason I thought a few years ago NC was ahead of GA but GA passed the state. But clearly the growth from the past 4 years should put NC ahead, just barely though - which appears like it could go back & forth for the next few decades.

But with 2 fast growing metro areas & a few more strong metro areas, NC does have the advantage. Perhaps if GA had another strong growing metro besides Atlanta - though the Dalton - NW GA corner & the sea coast has been growing at a great rate. Nonetheless, Columbus, Albany, Augusta & Macon have only experienced nominal growth & in some cases negative growth (Albany's future is rather grim).

[MikesLogic]

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Arizona's growth and size were larger than those figures by the time 2030 rolls around.

[monsoon]

People also retire in NC. I'm not so sure about GA.

[peaceloveunderstanding]

I wouldn't be suprised if California had fallen off the US by then.

[teshadoh]

People also retire in NC.  I'm not so sure about GA.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wherever there is a coast - there are retirees. Also - there are some retirees that choose the mountains, I even heard my mom consider a retirement village around Dahlonega GA.

[RiversideGator]

I am not sure this is something for North Carolinians to celebrate considering that the vast majority of new residents will live in currently unbuilt suburban homes thereby destroying more of the rural character of the state. I also would not be surprised to see, by 2030 or later, a move for California to secede and form its own country or rejoin Mexico.

[afh]

I am not sure this is something for North Carolinians to celebrate considering that the vast majority of new residents will live in currently unbuilt suburban homes thereby destroying more of the rural character of the state.  I also would not be surprised to see, by 2030 or later, a move for California to secede and form its own country or rejoin Mexico.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

By 2030 Arizona probably will try to secede with California and try to become part of Mexico the way things are going here!

[SouthJersey7]

Does this factor in double, possibly triple, maybe 10x oil costs by 2030? NC better have it's transit system down stone cold by then.

[teshadoh]

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/re...ion/004704.html

2030 Population projections:

United States 363,584,435

.California 46,444,861

.Texas 33,317,744

.Florida 28,685,769

.New York 19,477,429

.Illinois 13,432,892

.Pennsylvania 12,768,184

.North Carolina 12,227,739

.Georgia 12,017,838

.Ohio 11,550,528

.Arizona 10,712,397

.Michigan 10,694,172

.Virginia 9,825,019

.New Jersey 9,802,440

.Washington 8,624,801

.Tennessee 7,380,634

.Maryland 7,022,251

.Massachusetts 7,012,009

.Indiana 6,810,108

.Missouri 6,430,173

.Minnesota 6,306,130

.Wisconsin 6,150,764

.Colorado 5,792,357

.South Carolina 5,148,569

.Alabama 4,874,243

.Oregon 4,833,918

.Louisiana 4,802,633

.Kentucky 4,554,998

.Nevada 4,282,102

.Oklahoma 3,913,251

.Connecticut 3,688,630

.Utah 3,485,367

.Arkansas 3,240,208

.Mississippi 3,092,410

.Iowa 2,955,172

.Kansas 2,940,084

.New Mexico 2,099,708

.Idaho 1,969,624

.Nebraska 1,820,247

.West Virginia 1,719,959

.New Hampshire 1,646,471

.Hawaii 1,466,046

.Maine 1,411,097

.Rhode Island 1,152,941

.Montana 1,044,898

.Delaware 1,012,658

.Alaska 867,674

.South Dakota 800,462

.Vermont 711,867

.North Dakota 606,566

.Wyoming 522,979

.District of Columbia 433,414

NJ, Michigan & Ohio will be bumped & only Ohio will remain in the top 10.

[Claws]

Perhaps North Carolina will have an MLB team by then. I'm hoping Tennessee will get one some day, but I don't really think it's going to happen.

[UrbanSoutherner]

That is interesting - for some reason I thought a few years ago NC was ahead of GA but GA passed the state.

[krazeeboi]

SC 23rd in population in 25 years....good, steady, consistent growth....I like it.

[The_sandlapper]

SC 23rd in population in 25 years....good, steady, consistent growth....I like it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm sure by then Rock Hill and Charlotte will be one conglomurent mass, as well as Myrtle will spill over into Georgetown which will spill over into Charleston, which will spill over into Hilton Head?

[socaguy]

People also retire in NC.  I'm not so sure about GA.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes there are tons of retirees moving to Georgia every day. Alot of them are settling in the North Georgia mountains, perhaps not to the extent of the NC mountains but there are lots of them.

[ironchapman]

Would the sprawl from Hilton Head that would come from Myrtle the move to Savannah?

[krazeeboi]

I'm sure by then Rock Hill and Charlotte will be one conglomurent mass, as well as Myrtle will spill over into Georgetown which will spill over into Charleston, which will spill over into Hilton Head?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

*Covering ears* "La la la la la la la, I can't hear you........"

[monsoon]

I'm sure by then Rock Hill and Charlotte will be one conglomurent mass, as well as Myrtle will spill over into Georgetown which will spill over into Charleston, which will spill over into Hilton Head?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is the minor detail of a quite large national forest existing between Georgetown and Charleston.

[Charleston native]

Actually, the "funny" rumor is that Charleston could grow more northward towards Georgetown and towards Orangeburg up I-26. The National Forest is a major problem that will limit expansion to Georgetown, though. Myrtle Beach is predicted to grow out past Conway towards Florence.

I'm kind of disappointed with SC's population projection for 2030. All of the states that surround us will have far more significant population numbers while we basically get bypassed? FL - #3, NC - #7 and GA - #8 while we're #23?! I'm sorry, but some of SC's cities need to start booming so states like NC and GA don't boss us around politically and in terms of road projects...

[krazeeboi]

Charleston_native, I don't necessarily see a slower pace of growth as a bad thing. But believe you me, there will come a time when folks will begin looking at alternatives, and the fact that SC is right between #7 and #8 will finally dawn on some folks. And then the REAL boom will come. It's only a matter of time.

[asonj23]

Jeeze!! Cali just needs to suceed from the US and start their own country.

Florida jumped 79.5% in 4 years!!! Holy cow!! I wonder what the city growth numbers are??

[The_sandlapper]

Actually, the "funny" rumor is that Charleston could grow more northward towards Georgetown and towards Orangeburg up I-26. The National Forest is a major problem that will limit expansion to Georgetown, though. Myrtle Beach is predicted to grow out past Conway towards Florence.

I'm kind of disappointed with SC's population projection for 2030. All of the states that surround us will have far more significant population numbers while we basically get bypassed? FL - #3, NC - #7 and GA - #8 while we're #23?! I'm sorry, but some of SC's cities need to start booming so states like NC and GA don't boss us around politically and in terms of road projects...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think it will happen these are just early predictions. Who knows what 20 years will bring?

[CapeFearRiver10]

I believe NC could compete with Illinois, considering that NC realize that major growth is coming to the Middle Cape Fear region to the Lower Cape Fear region. Plus Wilmington is booming.

I predict the population succeed over 14 million.

Now we need to create a World class city in the State.