Austin 15th most populous city in the U.S. ? (Houston: live in, shop)

[ImOnFiya]

Is Austin's Population Really 811,219 ?

As of Nov. 22nd, that's the verdict from a recent Business First report. According to Business First, Austin is now the 15th largest city in the US (not to confuse readers with "metropolitan areas" or MSAs, which include the city + the suburbs).

The area was listed as having about 811,219 residents as of Nov. 22, compared with about 672,241 people in 2000.

Projected populations are generated by a computer formula the company developed in 2000 and recalibrates annually. The formula uses a decade of U.S. Census Bureau data to extrapolate growth trends. Central Texas is expected to add at least another 900 residents by early next month.

Source: Austin 15th most populous city in U.S. l Austin Business Journal

Does Austin feel like 800,000 + people?

Does all these people (most via intra-state migration) still act Texan? Has it retained its 'small city' feel?

Most important, when will we reach 1 million?

What do you think?

[JoninATX]

It does feel like a city over 800,000 and somewhat does feel like a small town depending on where your at in the City. As for hitting the "1 MILLION" mark I believe we will hit it. hey it's only 188,781 people to go .

[BevoLJ]

As a city, Austin is starting to feel like a large city. I do think it is very much losing that small town feel it used to have. But it defiantly doesn't feel like the 15th largest city. I think a part of that is that two of the 5 largest cities in the US are right down the road and so closely tied to Austin and that San Antonio is also just an hour away. Also for metro population area (MSA) I think Austin is like the 35 biggest city in the US with like 1.8 million. DFW and Houston both have over 6 million. That is a big difference. On top of that their economies are so much bigger than our. Austin has a big economy for such a small city, but Houston and DFW have monster sized economies. Our Austin and San Antonio's GDP is at $80B ranked 34th and 35th in the country while Houston and Dallas are over $400B and in the top 5.

Anyway, on the whole "when will we reach 1 million?" ... Hopefully never!

It would be great if we could cap Austin's population at what it is now and make all of the Northern and Cali refuges who are moving here live in Round Rock.

[jobert]

If you live South or SW, it doesn't. The countryside starts right behind my house, and I'm about 10 miles south of downtown. When I travel on the northside, it feels like Austin stretches all the way to Temple like a comet's tail.

[sinking]

Originally Posted by jobert

If you live South or SW, it doesn't. The countryside starts right behind my house, and I'm about 10 miles south of downtown. When I travel on the northside, it feels like Austin stretches all the way to Temple like a comet's tail.

When I was south I thought it felt much more populated since it seemed like there was heavy traffic 24/7 and no matter what time of day going to the HEB was crowded.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by sinking

When I was south I thought it felt much more populated since it seemed like there was heavy traffic 24/7 and no matter what time of day going to the HEB was crowded.

If you live in 78747 (South Austin) or 78739 (SW Austin), it becomes countryside rather quickly. You get the proximity to downtown, and none of the overpopulation that come with it. It's really the most ideal situation you can find. If you're comparing the most populous zip - 78748 (SSW Austin), to where you live now - near 183 and Anderson Mill, which is more than 2X the distance to downtown... then yes, it's slightly more "crowded", but what were you expecting?

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by jobert

If you live in 78747 or 78739, it becomes countryside rather quickly. You get the proximity to downtown, and none of the overpopulation that come with it. It's really the most ideal situation you can find. I do think that 78748 is rather crowded though. I only drive through there to get to Southpark, or to get to the LTF at Cannon/Mopac.

There are small pockets and stretches of road all over the heart of Austin that still have the look and feel of a rural stretch. Even the occasional cow and horse.

I've thought about snapping photos of such stretches/locations and posting them on CD with a "can you name this location?", or "how far is this from downtown Austin?" challenge. People would be very surprised at how close some of our very "secluded" in appearance areas are to the heart of it all.

Steve

[sinking]

Originally Posted by jobert

If you live in 78747 (South) or 78739 (SW), it becomes countryside rather quickly. You get the proximity to downtown, and none of the overpopulation that come with it. It's really the most ideal situation you can find. I do think that 78748 (SSW) is relatively crowded, though. It's just as crowded or maybe less crowded than any area 10 miles north of downtown would be.

True, where you are can turn sparse quickly. Do you have to go up to Slaughter to do your shopping?

[jobert]

Originally Posted by sinking

True, where you are can turn sparse quickly. Do you have to go up to Slaughter to do your shopping?

I usually cross over to Southpark to get what I need, then head home. I think that I shop at that HEB at Slaughter/Manchanca maybe twice a year, if that. I go to Newflower at Manchacha/Cannon, Specs or Target at Southpark Meadows or maybe the HEB in Buda. I found the HEB in Buda offers some of the higher-end items found at Central Market, which is convenient.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

There are small pockets and stretches of road all over the heart of Austin that still have the look and feel of a rural stretch. Even the occasional cow and horse.

Steve

The drive along 1626 between Brodie and 35 is rather cathartic. If you take 1626 west past Brodie, you're pretty much in the beginning of hill country. It's all a beautiful stretch of road (along with FM 967) that leads you to the vineyards in Driftwood.