Oil and Gas Boom Driving Population Growth in the Great Plains, Census Bureau Estimates Show
According to recent Census Bureau estimates, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and counties located in or near the Great Plains and West Texas were among the fastest growing areas last year. Midland, Texas, was the fastest-growing metro area over the July 1, 2011 to July 1, 2012 period with a population increase of 4.6 percent.
| Percent Increase | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Midland, Texas | 4.6 |
| 2. | Clarksville, Tenn.-Ky. | 3.7 |
| 3. | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Fla. | 3.6 |
| 4. | The Villages, Fla. | 3.4 |
| 5. | Odessa, Texas | 3.4 |
| 6. | Jacksonville, N.C. | 3.3 |
| 7. | Austin-Round Rock, Texas | 3.0 |
| 8. | Casper, Wyo. | 3.0 |
| 9. | Columbus, Ga.-Ala. | 2.9 |
| 10. | Manhattan, Kan. | 2.8 |
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| Percent Increase | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Williston, N.D. | 9.3 |
| 2. | Junction City, Kan. | 7.4 |
| 3. | Dickinson, N.D. | 6.5 |
| 4. | Andrews, Texas | 4.7 |
| 5. | Vernal, Utah | 4.1 |
| 6. | Heber, Utah | 3.8 |
| 7. | Elk City, Okla. | 3.5 |
| 8. | Elko, Nev. | 3.5 |
| 9. | Pullman, Wash. | 3.4 |
| 10. | Fort Polk South, La. | 3.2 |
