Austin will be the largest city in the US I predict (Houston: middle-class, transfer)

[CptnRn]

Austin alone, not counting the burbs, has grown almost 6 times larger just during my lifetime. From 132,459 in 1950 to to 790,390 in 2010.

Austin has grown by over 30% every 10 years for most of its existence.* The last 10 years it slowed down to 20%. Even at 20% it will be very close to a million in population by 2010 (948,468). I predict it will be over 1 million in 2010 as the growth rate has probably already accelerated due to all the people moving here for the better economy.


* Austin, Texas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
* http://www.city-data.com/forum/membe...#vmessage35896

[Mrs.JT]

Originally Posted by cBach

Okay, folks, now that I've sobered up a bit, let me explain my post.

I met some people from DC that came here on vacation for the night club scene. Do you know how great the nightclub scene is there? And they came here to party? That is the sole reason they came here: to party? That says something about how great Austin is. Explain that. Also, they said everyone up in the northeast realizes how great Austin is. It is absolutely unbelieveable they say.

This is merely conjecture on your part. You met "some people from DC," and now the reason why they came to Austin ("to party")is the Holy Grail of opinions? Maybe they are wack in DC and had to come to Austin for acceptance? Or maybe they've been in DC too long and just need a change of scenery? Or maybe someone else gave them the word that Austin is THE spot? Or maybe they do, indeed, love Austin that much, but everyone's perception, preference and likes are different. Just because it's great for them doesn't mean it's great for everyone else. Who are they? Some people from DC.

I lived in Tokyo for 16 years, and I've been to Nyc several times. If I weren't married with children, I think I'd definitely consider moving to Nyc. Austin just doesn't compare. It's a nice city, but it will never be like Nyc. (which I do realize that you stated this)

This entire thread is hilarious...especially the girls with the bodyguards. Unless they are celebrity....I'm thinking...WTH?

But I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. I'm not mad at that at all....just wanted to give a different perspective and offer a possible explanation since (although probably rhetorical) you asked for an explanation.

[love roses]

Originally Posted by cBach

You want to know what happened? A gentleman never tells

The bodygaurds hassled you, didn't they? J/K!

[cBach]

Originally Posted by Trae713

But they had bodyguards bro! That means they were hot.

and they were 15 years younger than me too

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by cBach

I was out tonight and it was jam packed. What I found was most of the
people there were tourists from places like DC/NYC/LA.

Regardless that it was a 93 degree night, the streets were chock block full of people everywhere I went.

Everyone I talked to was raving about how great Austin is. You get a sense that Austin is like California was in the 1950's. It is the place to be, to move to, to just be associated with.

This is even before F1 is coming. Imagine what will happen then. We are destined to be the next NYC.

I was flirting with some high caliber chicks that had their own bodyguard. That is usually what you see in LA or NYC.

Nothing can stop us now. I both relish the fact that we are the most desirable city in America but I also fear what will happen to us once the crowds come here. We know the roads won't be expanded, but I guess we'll just keep building skyscrapers up.

One thing's for sure, this is the place to be.

You must be living in the 51 State of Denial ,Austin will never become the largest city in the United States of America , but how about number 2 in the state of Texas.

[gpurcell]

To the OP, no. No, you are simply wrong. No port and no massive international airport means Austin will always be playing second fiddle to Houston and Dallas.

Here are MSAs by population:
Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Austin/RR/San Marcos is currently 35th, in between Indianapolis and Virginia Beach. In 2020 it will probably be in the top 30, around Cleveland in Kansas City. By 2030, it will be in the Top 25, around Pittsburgh and Baltimore (and overtaking San Antonio). By 2040 it will be a top 20 metro area on the order of a St. Louis/Tampa/San Diego. That's probably where it ends up long term.

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by gpurcell

To the OP, no. No, you are simply wrong. No port and no massive international airport means Austin will always be playing second fiddle to Houston and Dallas.

Here are MSAs by population:
Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Austin/RR/San Marcos is currently 35th, in between Indianapolis and Virginia Beach. In 2020 it will probably be in the top 30, around Cleveland in Kansas City. By 2030, it will be in the Top 25, around Pittsburgh and Baltimore (and overtaking San Antonio). By 2040 it will be a top 20 metro area on the order of a St. Louis/Tampa/San Diego. That's probably where it ends up long term.

I pray that the OP was talking about city proper population only and not Metropolitan Population.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by gpurcell

To the OP, no. No, you are simply wrong. No port and no massive international airport means Austin will always be playing second fiddle to Houston and Dallas.

Here are MSAs by population:
Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Austin/RR/San Marcos is currently 35th, in between Indianapolis and Virginia Beach. In 2020 it will probably be in the top 30, around Cleveland in Kansas City. By 2030, it will be in the Top 25, around Pittsburgh and Baltimore (and overtaking San Antonio). By 2040 it will be a top 20 metro area on the order of a St. Louis/Tampa/San Diego. That's probably where it ends up long term.

Mexico City doesn't have a port...

[N. Olikee]

Originally Posted by bgrn198

Here's an article from '04 wonder if it will happen

Study: Austin's population to surpass San Antonio's | Austin Business Journal

I don't know if Austin will surpass San Antonio's population, but isn't San Antonio now the second largest city in Texas having surpassed Dallas? We're talking cities only here, not MSAs.

I CAN see Austin and San Antonio growing together into one enormous metroplex. Having just driven back from SA, there's not a lot of undeveloped land between here and there.

[migol84]

Originally Posted by gpurcell

To the OP, no. No, you are simply wrong. No port and no massive international airport means Austin will always be playing second fiddle to Houston and Dallas.

Here are MSAs by population:
Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Austin/RR/San Marcos is currently 35th, in between Indianapolis and Virginia Beach. In 2020 it will probably be in the top 30, around Cleveland in Kansas City. By 2030, it will be in the Top 25, around Pittsburgh and Baltimore (and overtaking San Antonio). By 2040 it will be a top 20 metro area on the order of a St. Louis/Tampa/San Diego. That's probably where it ends up long term.

I agree with on all points except the last. I don't think Austin will end up long term at about 2.5 million. I'd say that Austin's metro will continue to grow at the same rate you say but to 3.5 by 2040. This is where I'm betting Austin will stop growing as much as it has. I'd even say it will start competing with Seattle by this point. Unless of course, Seattle starts growing dramatically as Austin has.