Highlights:

Atlanta has become the 12th metropolitan area to achieve 5,000,000 population, having added 10.7 percent to its population since 2000. At the present growth rate, Atlanta will pass Detroit by the 2010 census.

Dallas-Fort Worth has continued its strong growth, second numerically only to Los Angeles. Dallas-Fort Worth overtook Boston to become the nation's 7th largest metropolitan area. The present growth rate indicates that Dallas-Fort Worth is likely to pass Philadelphia in 2005 to become the 6th largest metropolitan area. If the 2000 to 2004 trend continues to 2015, Dallas-Fort Worth will pass San Jose-San Francisco to become the 5th largest metropolitan area.

Houston's strong growth continues. Soon after 2000, Houston passed 5,000,000 residents and is poised to pass Miami, Detroit and Boston by the next census (2010).

The nation added its 54th metropolitan area with more than 1,000,000 residents, in Fresno, California.

Stunningly slow growth has occurred in the San Jose-San Francisco area. Since 2000, total growth has been 0.9 percent. This compares to a greater than 12 percent growth rate from 1990 to 2000. At least part of the cause is housing unaffordability, as growth is being forced to exurban areas, such as Stockton, a smaller metropolitan area, which grew more than the entire San Jose-San Francisco area over the past four years. Only six metropolitan areas with more than 1,000,000 residents experienced less of a population gain.

The largest numerical gain was in Los Angeles, which grew 1.1 million. If present growth rates were to continue, Los Angeles would displace New York as the nation's largest metropolitan area in the early 2030s.

Las Vegas continues to have the highest percentage growth rate among the large metropolitan areas, having added 19.9 percent from 2000 to 2004.

Washington-Baltimore exceeded 8,000,000 for the first time.

Modest growth continues in Chicago. If the present rate continues, Chicago will exceed 10,000,000 residents in the 2010 census.

Metropolitan areas are consolidated statistical areas (CSA) where designated and metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) otherwise.

For inquiries, contact Wendell Cox in Paris:

Telephone
+33 6 10 59 59 92