Redmond is 6th-Fastest Growing City in Washington

Kendall Watson wrote and reported this story.

New US Census estimates for city populations in 2012 released May 23 show that Redmond was the sixth-fastest growing large city in the state.

Census figures from 2010 to 2012 show that Redmond grew by 2,417 residents from 2010 to 2012, for a total estimated population of 56,561 as of July 1, 2012. 

Of "large" cities of 50,000 or more residents, two municipalities in the Tri-Cities area were the fastest and second-fastest growing cities in the state (Pasco and Richland), followed by Auburn, Renton and then Seattle. 

Nationally, Redmond is estimated the 634th largest city in the US.

Eight of the 15 fastest-growing large U.S. cities and towns for the year ending July 1, 2012 were in Texas, according to population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Lone Star State also stood out in terms of the size of population growth, with five of the 10 cities and towns that added the most people over the year.

Cedar Park, TX is the nation's fastest growing city, of places with 50,000 or more residents, at 12 percent growth — over 6,200 more people than in 2010.

Of the 19,516 incorporated places in the United States, only 3.7 percent (726) had populations of 50,000 or more in 2012. 

Nine areas surpassed the 50,000-population mark between 2011 and 2012, including four in the West, four in the South, and one in the Northeast. The Western areas were Lehi, Utah (51,173); Kirkland, Wash. (50,697) (Ed Note: This figure did not account for the city's growth due to annexation, which would have made it the fastest-growing in Washington); Gilroy, Calif. (50,660); and Palm Desert, Calif. (50,013). Those in the South included Harrisonburg, Va. (50,981); Bradenton, Fla. (50,672); Southaven, Miss. (50,374); and San Marcos, Texas (50,001). Plainfield, N.J. (50,244) in the Northeast also crossed the mark. Two local governmental units dropped below the 50,000 threshold between 2011 and 2012. Troy, N.Y., declined from 50,072 in 2011 to 49,946 in 2012, with Joplin, Mo. falling from 50,475 to 49,526. Joplin was struck by a devastating tornado in May 2011.       

For more information about the geographic areas for which the Census Bureau produces population estimates, visit the US Census Bureau's website.