The Census Bureau released some new metropolitan area data this past week showing that as of July 2013, Atlanta was still the 9th largest metropolitan area in the United States with a population of 5.5 million residents, roughly 300,000 residents smaller than #8 Miami.  (Here’s the relevant PDF)

Atlanta ranked as high as #8 in 2008, but was surpassed by steadier growth in D.C. metro area in 2010.

In terms of absolute growth, Atlanta registered the 7th largest population gain of any U.S. metro area, growing by 68,513 residents.  Other Top 10 metros with Top 10 absolute growth included Texas towns Houston (#1) and Dallas (#3), NYC (#2), L.A (#4)., D.C. (#5) and Miami (#8).  Pheonix registered the 6th largest increase, while hipster havens San Francisco and Seattle rounded out the Top 10.

Photo courtesy of brendanlim via Flickr

From Decatur PD’s Sgt. Jennifer Ross…

On 3-28-14 at approximately 8 pm, Decatur Police responded to an armed robbery that occurred near the intersection of East Lake Drive and Oakview Road.  The victim reported she was walking from a restaurant to her bicycle when she encountered two males sitting nearby.  One of the males demanded money and the victim did not comply.  The suspect produced a handgun and again demanded money.  The victim tossed her backpack to the suspects and they fled south on East Lake Drive.  The victim fled north on East Lake Drive on her bicycle and collided with a vehicle.  The victim sustained minor injuries from the collision.

Suspect #1 was described as a black male, late 20′s to early 30′s, approximately 6′, slim build, low haircut, light brown complexion, with a round dark beauty mark on his right cheek and raspy voice, wearing a white t-shirt and dark jeans and armed with a large black semi-automatic handgun.  Suspect #2 was described as a black male, wearing a dark t-shirt and dark jeans.