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 Monday’s AJC…

Kecia Cunningham, Decatur’s second ever African-American commissioner, said Monday she’s concerned about the recent census revealing a diminishing minority population.

It’s particularly dramatic in Decatur’s southwest corridor that’s gone from 70 percent minority and 30 percent white in 2000 to a 70-30 white-minority ratio in 2010. “We are basically losing our long-time African American neighborhoods,” she said. “We are a city that’s long prided itself on diversity, yet when the rubber meets the road, we’re not living up to that promise. We’re becoming more of a homogenous middle-class city.” Bill Banks for the AJC

Thanks to Karass for pointing it out!

As noted in this morning’s AJC, the latest and greatest “American Community Survey” has just been released by the Census bureau, and while there’s no listing for the city of Decatur, there is a breakout for the City of Decatur School District.  As the AJC notes…

For the first time, this ongoing statistical portrait of America included information from geographic areas with a population of less than 60,000. The 2010 census and the ACS will help determine the distribution of more than $400 billion in federal tax funds yearly.

So without further ado, here are some random estimates about us, in no particular order.

• 326 females had a baby in the last year (give or take 154 babies), with the 35-50 year old demographic birthing the most babies.
• There are around 1,500 veterans inside the city limits (give or take 469 veterans)
• English (18.9%) , Irish (14.8%) and German (14.6%) are the largest ancestry groups.
• 69% of us commuted to work in a car, alone.  7% took public transit, 4.5% walked and 9.6% worked at home.
• 38% of Decaturites live in households that make in excess of $100,000 a year.
• Over half the city’s housing stock was built prior to 1959.
• 42% of households have one car, while 6% have three or more.
• Decatur is 57.5% female, 73.5% white and 22.8% black.