Houston, DFW are nation’s fastest-growing regions in 2009

Region approaches 6 million

Steve Hawley, Mar 24, 10.

The Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston regions added more new residents than any other region between July 1, 2008 and July 1, 2009, according to US Census Bureau estimates reported by the Houston Business Journal. The estimates are based on 2000 Census data.

According to the complete estimates, the Dallas-Fort Worth region grew by 146,530 people, or 2.3 percent, bringing its total population to 6.45 million. Dallas-Fort Worth is the fourth-largest region in the country, behind New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

The Houston region added 140,748 people last year, an increase of 2.5 percent, to bring its total population to 5.86 million. Houston is the sixth-largest region in the country, behind the four regions mentioned earlier and Philadelphia.

The Austin-Round Rock region also grew significantly, adding 50,975 people - 3.1 percent - and bringing its total population above 1.7 million. San Antonio grew by 41,437, or 2.0 percent, bringing its total population to 2.07 million.

The US Census Bureau is currently conducting its decennial census, and it will base its population estimates for 2011-2019 on the new census figures. The new Census figures will also affect US legislative districts beginning with the 2012 election cycle.

According to the Washington Post, Texas has added over 3.8 million new residents since the 2000 Census, more than any other state. In fact, 15 percent of the entire country’s population growth has occurred in Texas over the last nine years. Texas is the second-most populous state behind California.

According to the University of Michigan Population Studies Center Apportionment Calculator, Texas is expected to gain approximately 3 US House seats after the 2010 Census, increasing the state’s total to 35 congressional districts.