New (early) 2010 metro estimates (aka Houston edges out Philadelphia for #5 largest US Metroploitan Area) (Boston, south)

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

Though the commute from Katy is a real pain in the butt

Its a breeze now with the newly expanded/reconstructed Interstate 10 which is now the widest freeway in the entire country if not the world.

[Fillmont]

Originally Posted by Metro Matt

Its a breeze now with the newly expanded/reconstructed Interstate 10 which is now the widest freeway in the entire country if not the world.

Wider freeways make me sad.

[Trae713]

Originally Posted by Spade

You mad???

It's interesting that Houston started to distance itself from Atlanta due to the housing problem hurting Atlanta. It won't last long though as Atlanta is still very attractive.

It is interesting. I remember back around 2005-2006, when Atlanta was really going, that many Atlanta forumers were saying it should pass Houston around this time (by the 2010 Census). The opposite happened, and Houston extended it's gap. Don't think it should change either, as I doubt Atlanta will start growing faster than Houston (or DFW) anytime soon (and that's not saying Atlanta won't grow...just not as fast as Houston and DFW).

Originally Posted by LAnative10

Where do you get that from? DFW the gap between DFW and Greater Houston has gotten larger since 2000.

Yeah, those 15K-20K differences between DFW's growth and Houston's growth, at the beginning of the decade, started to add up. I believe Houston grew faster percentage wise.

[ladarron]

Originally Posted by slengel

saint louis has more genuine urban fabric in its pinky finger than the entire state of texas. that's a fact.

full disclosure: i actually am a native of philadelphia. and i just really dislike texas.

Sanit Louis is smaller then Arlington,Tx. Saint Louis will never be Missouri's biggest city, that's a shame.

[Wonderful Jellal]

Originally Posted by ladarron

Oh, That's why you are mad.

I prefer a ugly city with a very dynamic economy rather than a beautiful city with a bad economy !
Houston is great for that.ECONOMY FIRST

[HtownLove]

Originally Posted by Fillmont

Wider freeways make me sad.

It does not make the tens of thousand who have much easier commute now sad.

1 hour traffic is now 30 minute traffic

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by HtownLove

doubt it. It looks like both will be growing rapidly for some time to come. Especially since FW is growing so fast. FW is a force right now that will be hard to stop. Now more than ever you can say thank God for FW

In the foreseeable future I know Fort Worth will eventually surpass Dallas in population. Its just a matter of when, not if.

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by Awesome Danny

I've read that Atlanta has really slowed down in the past 2 years from it's previous explosive growth from the first 7 years of the decade, anyone know information on that?

Well, it's depends on how you define slowdown. In the yes category, growth has "slowed" from 12,000 a month on average to about 9,000 a month. On the other hand, that's not really a slow down in the sense that it's come to almost a stop.

Most of this is due to the recession, but I remember seeing a link a few months back that showed that the top destination in raw numbers of people relocating out of Atlanta is New Orleans. As the city has recovered, many of those who relocated here after Katrina have gone back home (there were about 70,000 to 100,000 relocations from NO to Atlanta between 2005 and 2007).

Once the recession is over though, it'll be back to business as usual.

The one thing I find really dramatic is how Miami, DC and Atlanta are switching place the most over the last few years.

2008:
7. Miami
8. Atlanta
9. DC

2009:
7. Miami
8. DC
9. Atlanta

2010:
7. Atlanta
8. Miami
9. DC

[ladarron]

Originally Posted by Metro Matt

In the foreseeable future I know Fort Worth will eventually surpass Dallas in population. Its just a matter of when, not if.

I don't think it will happen.

[DANNYY]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

The one thing I find really dramatic is how Miami, DC and Atlanta are switching place the most over the last few years.

2008:
7. Miami
8. Atlanta
9. DC

2009:
7. Miami
8. DC
9. Atlanta

2010:
7. Atlanta
8. DC
9. Miami

2009 estimates, Washington DC was literally only 1,028 people ahead of Atlanta Metropolitan Area. I think it will be a pattern with Miami being the odd one out right now for the moment.

Originally Posted by Lifeshadower

Good! I hope Houston becomes #2 by the next census.

Us in the LA area will be glad to give you guys a few million people to make that possible. Then you can experience the JOYS of having traffic at 3 AM.

Traffic is already bad, makes me literally want to park my car on the freeway and walk the remainder of the way to where ever I am going. So it's okay.