Data Trends
Suburban Migration Fuels State Population Growth
March 20, 2008—Migration to the suburbs of Springfield, Kansas City and St. Louis fueled the state’s population growth, according to 2007 U.S. Census Bureau County Population Estimates released today. Since 2000, the Springfield Metropolitan Area population grew fastest at 14 percent. The Branson Micropolitan Area followed closely with 13 percent growth, Farmington Micropolitan Area with 12.9 percent growth, and the Columbia Metro Area with 11.4 percent growth.
Net Migration
Missouri’s largest cities showed losses or only marginal gains. While 16,807 people moved to the Kansas City metro area, Jackson County (Kansas City) lost 19,298 residents. Across the state, St. Louis metro area continues a migration trend to suburban counties; most striking are St. Charles County, with 40,984 net migration, and St. Louis County, with 41,534 net migration loss. Christian County, a Springfield suburb, ranked 53rd nationally with 34.6 percent growth (15,313 net migration). See map, below, showing county net migration gains and losses.
Nationally, Missouri ranks 18th in population change, with a 5 percent growth since 2000. The state’s population increased from 5,281,732 to 5,878,415 residents—a natural increase of 168,856, and net migration of 112,876.
For more information, access national, state, county and area data in Population Estimate Reports at Missouri Census Data Center.
This file last modified Thursday May 07, 2009, 16:10:58
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