Population Growth

Here are a few interesting facts from a report released by the Census Bureau:

-- Greeley, Colorado is the fastest-growing metro area in the United States
from April 1, 2000 through July 31, 2003. The city north of Denver
increased its population by 16.8%. The 2nd and 3rd rank-holders among
metropolises are St. George, Utah, with 15.2% growth, and Las Vegas
-Paradise, Nevada, at 14.6%.

-- The New York metro area continued to be the most populous in
America. In 2003, its population reached 18.6 million people. Los Angeles
was 2nd at 12.8 million, followed by Chicago with 9.3 million.

-- Among small towns, which the Census Bureau calls "micropolitan"
areas, Florida's Palm Coast, between Jacksonville and Daytona, stood out,
growing by nearly 25% during the period. Other fast growing micropolises
included Heber, Utah (15.1%), and East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania (11.4%).

-- Overall ... the western region leads the U.S. in population growth. Here
is the ranking of regions: West (5.5%) , South (5.1%), Midwest (2.0%),
Northeast (1.5%).