population

It looks like Richmond will have a population above 200,000 in 2010 for the official count by the U.S. Census Bureau. It will be the first time the city has reached that benchmark in 20 years.

John Moeser, a senior fellow at the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement at the University of Richmond, said the city's population growth is fueled largely by renewed interest in urban living by empty-nester couples and individuals without school-age children, as well as high gasoline prices. That's good news for city homeowners, who could see the value of their properties rise with Richmond's popularity.

Read more at The Richmond Times-Dispatch....

New census statistics released Tuesday show the Washington area population growing in spite of the recession -- a sign that the tough economy has impacted it less than other places. Much of the growth is here in the commonwealth, which is good news for the Virginia housing market.

Loudoun County is the fifth fastest-growing county in the nation, with 301,000 residents -- a rise of almost 78% since 2000. Four other Virginia counties rate among the top 100 for growth: King George, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania.

Both the city of Alexandria and Arlington County grew by almost 7%, and the population in Prince William County was up 5%.

Read more in The Washington Post....

By 2010 Prince William County will have over 400,000 residents according to stats compiled by county demographers, as reported by InsideNova.com.

The substantial growth makes Prince William one of the fastest growing jurisdictions in the state, and shows that it is a highly marketable and appealing area. As the population continues to grow homeowners can trust that the value of their homes will increase to meet the demand from newcomers.

"As of June, 392,900 people reside in Prince William, and by 2010, that number will surpass 400,000, according to statistics compiled by county demographers.

The numbers for this second quarter county demographic fact sheet were taken from U.S. Commerce Department and U.S. Census Bureau reports, as well as Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments forecasts.

The prediction for 2010 represents a substantial growth, especially when compared to numbers from 1990, when only 215,686 lived in the county, according to the fact sheet. In 2000, the county’s population grew to 280,813. And that means in this one decade that the population for Prince William rose by just over 30 percent.

Only Chesapeake saw a greater percentage growth rate for this time frame, at a bit more than 31 percent.

By actual population count, Prince William was third out of 10 on a list of the largest jurisdictions in Virginia in 2000. Topping the list was Fairfax County, which saw its residential count grow from 818,584 in 1990 to 969,749 in 2000 — an 18.5 percent jump.

Second was Virginia Beach, with an actual population that rose over the decade from 393,069 to 425,257, which translates to an estimated 8 percent hike. And following came Prince William and its 65,127 more residents in 2000 than in 1990."

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A recent story from the Daily Press discussed James City County's preparations for future population growth. James City County population has grown three-fold in the past 30 years, while still being able to offer quality, desirable places to live.

County officials are reviewing zoning changes and the necessity of public works extensions to prepare for future growth, and identifying what size population the county can maintain.

Homeowners in the county can appreciate the county's efforts to maintain the quality of living residents have come to enjoy, while anticipating growth. The discussions between various county departments and officials are a great opportunity for homeowners to ensure that their most valuable investment is protected and to encourage policy and zoning changes that will increase property value.

"How many people can James City County reasonably hold and still be recognizable as the wooded, partially rural haven many of its residents consider it to be?

It's a tough question, but one that must be asked given the county is one of the fastest-growing localities on the Peninsula, members of the Planning Commission said at a meeting Thursday evening.

Population projections for James City being used to update the Comprehensive Plan range from about twice the current population of about 68,000 to three times that number, depending on which model is referenced. The plan is the county's blueprint to control future development.

Based on current zoning classifications, the county could accommodate about 118,000 people. If all the changes to zoning allowed under the current Comprehensive Plan were to occur, that number could grow to 177,000. Depending on which version of the updated Comprehensive Plan is passed by the Board of Supervisors, there could be between 178,000 and 187,000 people at total buildout."

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