Mid-decade census counts show population surge in 7 Phoenix-area cities (Chandler: 2015, apartments)

[autism360]

Amazing that these cities grew even while the recession was at its worst

The seven cities that ordered special mid-decade updates include Buckeye, Chandler, Gilbert, Goodyear, Maricopa, Peoria and Queen Creek. Preliminary results indicate that the cities grew between 2.7 percent and 27.7 percent each during the five-year period from 2010 to 2015.

Census results show cities' population growth

The preliminary census results indicate:

• Buckeye jumped from 50,876 residents in 2010 to 61,162 residents in 2015, a surge of 10,286 people and a 20.2 percent increase.
• Chandler rose from 236,326 to 242,633, an increase of 6,307 residents and 2.7 percent.
• Gilbert expanded from 208,352 to 235,049, a boost of 26,697 people and 12.8 percent.
• Goodyear increased from 65,275 to 74,625, an addition of 9,350 residents and 14.3 percent.
• Maricopa moved from 43,482 to 45,277, an uptick of 1,795 people and 4.1 percent.
• Peoria went from 154,058 to 160,242, an increase of 6,184 residents and 4 percent.
• Queen Creek mushroomed from 26,361 to 33,674, a rise of 7,313 people and 27.7 percent.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/...ties/78314914/

[Pink Jazz]

Looks like Peoria may eventually surpass Tempe in population, and Goodyear may eventually surpass Avondale.

[DougStark]

Those valley growth rates are fast. But stats of growth in Texas are even more dramatic (see my earlier post under "Is Phoenix getting too big".)

For example, Austin grew 3% in just one year (2013-2014).

[Hschlick84]

I voted yes, I'm moving down there in a few more months for job transfer, lol.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by DougStark

Those valley growth rates are fast. But stats of growth in Texas are even more dramatic (see my earlier post under "Is Phoenix getting too big".)

For example, Austin grew 3% in just one year (2013-2014).

The reason many Texas cities are growing at a faster rate is a combination of good jobs AND reasonable cost of living. Phoenix can have both as well. We have a reasonable cost of living, but we need to do a lot better as far as bringing in more competitive jobs. When the US Airways/American merger took effect, we lost a Fortune 500 company to Texas. Phoenix can no longer thrive on things like cheap housing, climate, and seasonal tourism as chief economic indicators. If we're going to continue to have positive growth, better jobs is the answer ... not just a sunny, dry climate. A successful person can't pay the bills and live comfortably on sunshine.

[new2colo]

The bottom line is that these cities are growing at nowhere near the clip they were anticipated to grow back in 2006-2007. I remember seeing a pre-recession documentary about growth in the Valley. Some lady in the video representing Queen Creek stated that the town would have 60,000 people by 2015. I've also heard many people claim that Buckeye was going to surpass Phoenix in population by 2040 or 2050. That's clearly not going to happen. I'm glad to see that the outer suburbs are still growing. It's seems most of the attention to new development have been in core areas. While I definitely think that's a good thing, it would be depressing to watch Queen Creek, Buckeye, Goodyear, Surprise and other exurbs blow away in the wind. Maybe these towns can do some better planning now that growth is at much more modest levels instead of being drowned by shoddy development proposals.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by new2colo

The bottom line is that these cities are growing at nowhere near the clip they were anticipated to grow back in 2006-2007. I remember seeing a pre-recession documentary about growth in the Valley. Some lady in the video representing Queen Creek stated that the town would have 60,000 people by 2015. I've also heard many people claim that Buckeye was going to surpass Phoenix in population by 2040 or 2050. That's clearly not going to happen. I'm glad to see that the outer suburbs are still growing. It's seems most of the attention to new development have been in core areas. While I definitely think that's a good thing, it would be depressing to watch Queen Creek, Buckeye, Goodyear, Surprise and other exurbs blow away in the wind. Maybe these towns can do some better planning now that growth is at much more modest levels instead of being drowned by shoddy development proposals.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but these cities (or "towns" in some cases) should have never annexed so much vacant land in the anticipation of adding thousands of new residents in cookie cutter developments over a relatively short period of time. People are just not wanting to move to the outer ring suburbs as much as before, and the growth trends are reflecting that fact all across the U.S. As a result, places like Buckeye, Surprise, Peoria, etc. now have acres upon acres of vacant desert land that was supposed to be developed by now or in the near future, and it's clearly not happening like you stated. The only thing this mass land annexation has accomplished is hit & miss sprawl development (a subdivision or a shopping center here & there, surrounded by lots of undeveloped land) ... if anybody wants to call that an "accomplishment".

[stevek64]

I certainly believe a decent amount of growth will continue here in the coming decades. It will be interesting to see the demographics that grow the most in the metro. I think we will continue to have flow in from baby boomers who are retiring but it will be interesting how many younger families arrive in comparison which depends on employment prospects of course.

[autism360]

They are building apartments everywhere so someone thinks that people will be moving here.

Build it and they will come.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by DougStark

Those valley growth rates are fast. But stats of growth in Texas are even more dramatic (see my earlier post under "Is Phoenix getting too big".)

For example, Austin grew 3% in just one year (2013-2014).

That was largely due to the recession. People wanted to move here but couldn't because of the lack of jobs. During 1990-2008, Phoenix outgrew all the Texas cities because we had jobs. We were once ranked the fastest growing city in America for jobs...#1 not just population growth.

Once our job market improves, people will move back. The appeal of Phoenix is that it is has the west coast California culture, geography and weather with the fiscal conservative govt of the southern states like Texas. Texas is still very much southern in terms of it's culture and a lot of people who move there from the coasts ultimately don't like it or try to move when they can.