Des Moines' population growth outpaces state, Midwest (Ankeny, Waukee: 2013, professionals)

[capitalcityguy]

Positive news from Des Moines Register story:

Des Moines’ population is growing at a faster rate than the state as a whole and the region, bucking a national trend that sees state capitals shrinking or stagnant, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

Des Moines’ estimated population on July 1, 2012, was an estimated 1.6 percent greater than the figure reported in the 2010 census. That’s better than the 0.91 percent population growth for the state and 0.58 percent growth in the Midwest, the data released last week show.

Nationally, nine capitals shrank in the same time period, and half lagged behind the growth rates of their regions.

Read more: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/art...text|Frontpage

[atler8]

I saw that data earlier today & was pleased with the ontinued uptick in the population of the city proper.
Now for some context: If the new estimate is accurate, the City of Des Moines is on the cusp of matching & then surpassing it's peak population figure of 208,000 that was attained in the census of 1960.
After that 1960 peak, the city went into a downward population spiral during the 1960's & 1970's, with a loss of 10,000, or 5% of it's population recorded during the 1970's.
Now Des Moines has nearly once again reached that earlier population peak after over 30 years of slow to more modest growth.
Imagine where the city population would be now if during all of the intervening decades since 1960 the city had engaged in a continual & modest to ambitious annexation policy.

[tollfree]

The overwhelming vast majority being from Iowa already, so yes, it's becoming a bigger city as rural Iowa declines.

Regarding anyone not originally from Iowa that moves to Des Moines (or moves back but is originally from Iowa):

They left out there are significantly more Hispanic immigrants moving to Iowa than "professionals from major cities" how the article wants you to think. No surprises the article was spun how it was.

[capitalcityguy]

Somewhat related. This has more to do with development/jobs/companies current preferences for location. Obviously, this plays a part in population growth:

Thirty-eight of the top 50 are in the “flyover” states, areas that many companies avoided in the past. Midwest cities dominate the top 100 overall rankings, capturing 24.25 percent of this group.

Read more: Leading Locations for 2013 Commentary: Shifting Gears - Companies Once Again Considering Out-of-Footprint Locations | Area Development Online

[atler8]

The focus of the Register article was on population of the city proper of Des Moines.
The only spin found therein or in this thread thus far is that which is yours or which you wish to attribute to it, Mr. Jonez.

[tollfree]

Originally Posted by atler8

The focus of the Register article was on population of the city proper of Des Moines.
The only spin found therein or in this thread thus far is that which is yours or which you wish to attribute to it, Mr. Jonez.

Same rules apply. Most of Des Moines' population growth is because of the Hispanic population, people have trouble admitting that for some reason. Other cities in Iowa have an easier time embracing it, but Des Moines likes to think of itself as a white-collar utopia (when it isn't), so it's going to be more difficult there for the status quo to accept it.

[Tek_Freek]

Blah, blah, blah, blah. Same old crap from the same old tired, worn out, useless poster.

[capitalcityguy]

Usually RJ goes a couple pages before he starts contradicting himself. This time he only had to go a couple comments. I guess when you continue to throw stuff out and see what sticks, it is hard to keep the BS straight.

First he says:

The overwhelming vast majority being from Iowa already, so yes, it's becoming a bigger city as rural Iowa declines.

Then it is on to:

Most of Des Moines' population growth is because of the Hispanic population, people have trouble admitting that for some reason.

So how can the "vast majority" of growth be native rural Iowan's moving to Des Moines and at the same time, "most of Des Moines' population growth" coming from Hispanic population????

[tollfree]

I'll explain better...in certain suburbs (WDM/Waukee/Ankeny) it's not the Hispanics, mainly native Iowans or those from Iowa originally who may have moved away, but are moving to suburban DSM.

For Des Moines "city proper" it's the Hispanics. I forget, these designations need to be made. I'll gladly admit I should have clarified that better. It doesn't change the fact most of the population surge in DSM proper is from the Hispanic community, and doesn't change the fact that locals (native white Iowans) may have trouble accepting that.

Besides these two groups, there is barely any in-migration into Des Moines or Des Moines suburbs, and the amount there is is so small it's almost irrelevant.

[capitalcityguy]

The first post, article linked within, and the second post all were very specific the topic was DM proper population growth.

....and then you came charging in with yet another juvenile rant....and one that wasn't even applicable to the thread.

Backtrack all you want now....we've seen this all before.

This is why your contributions out here are generally so counter-productive. We all spend time each thread trying to get you back on task.