The U.S. Census Bureau has released the 2018 population estimates. Do you know if your city is growing?
Certainly one indicator of an area’s well-being is population growth. Most believe active, vibrant communities are growing communities and vice versa. So let’s take a quick look at what the numbers tell us about growth or decline since the 2010 census.
The state of Missouri is growing but at a very modest rate: 2.3%. This is a good baseline to use when measuring individual city growth. So let’s take a look at Cape, Jackson, a couple of surrounding communities and some others statewide.
Cape grew 1,912 people, or 5%. Jackson grew 1,236 people or 9%. Both cities grew at a faster pace than the state as a whole and added more than 3,100 new residents in the last eight years. Perryville grew by 215 people or 2.6%. Sikeston lost 210 or 1% and Poplar Bluff grew 20 people.
Columbia was a big winner gaining 14,680 or 13.5%. Springfield added just over 8,600 or 5.4%. Jefferson City, St. Joseph, and St. Louis all lost population.
These numbers don’t tell the whole story. Many other things make up an area’s vibrancy. However, one of the quality of life factors relocating companies consider is growth. It is good to be on the positive side of the equation.
