Census finds slow growth for city

Columbia population up 1.4 percent in 2007, report says

By JOY L. WOODSON - jwoodson@thestate.com

Population growth in Columbia is again on the rise, but the number of people moving to the state’s most-populous city remains low, according to newly released U.S. Census data.

Columbia’s population reached 124,818 people in 2007, a 1.4 percent growth in one year.

The city ranks 190th on the U.S. Census Bureau’s list of the 262 most-populous cities, and 127th on the list of fastest-growing cities for the study period, between 2000 and 2007.

Columbia’s population grew 4.3 percent over that seven years, adding 5,202 residents, the report said.

While the primary focus of the latest Census figures is on incorporated areas with more than 100,000 people, information on all incorporated places in the United States also is included. The yearly estimates are based on housing unit information.

Among other Midlands municipalities, the town of Lexington had 14,995 people, making it the second most-populated incorporated area behind Columbia in 2007.

Lexington grew about 44 percent over the seven-year period. But Blythewood eclipsed that rate by more than doubling its population to nearly 1,300, the report stated.

Among other S.C. cities, Charleston ranked 225th among most-populous U.S. cities. Although the city has fewer residents than Columbia, its growth rate is higher, placing it 60th among the fastest-growing cities since April 2000.

Nationally, New Orleans was the fastest-growing large city between 2006-07, as the Big Easy recovers from Hurricane Katrina. McKinney, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, recorded the fastest growth over the seven-year period.

The U.S. Census Bureau periodically conducts population estimates and demographics. But an official count of every living person is done every 10 years. That count is mandated by the Constitution.

Reach Woodson at (803) 771-8692.