RezoneOKC

The Census has released its July 1, 2009 state population estimates (CSV File). Between July 1, 2008 and July 1, 2009, Oklahoma experienced its greatest numerical increase of the decade. Its 1.18% growth rate was #11 in the country, probably due to slowdowns of growth in some other states that were better off before the economic crisis.

This table shows Oklahoma’s estimated growth by year since 2000.

As seen, growth has increased quite a bit since 2005-2006, and the strongest year has been from 2008-2009.

Overall, the population of Oklahoma has grown by 233,107 people since 2000, for a total growth rate of 6.75%.

Here are the Top 12 Fastest-growing states from 2008-2009.

And the components of the 2008-2009 increase are estimated as follows:

These numbers, especially domestic migration, represent a the change that has been going on in Oklahoma over the last 5 years. Check out domestic migration numbers at the beginning of the decade, compared to the last few years. 5 out of 6 of the years from 2000-2005, we had negative domestic migration- but in the last four years, we have gained an average of 14,000 per year from other states.

With so much domestic migration ocurring as a result of changing economic circumstances in the high-growth states of the first part of the decade, it will be interesting to see how Oklahoma is affected, and how the 2010 Census reflects those changes. Maybe all the positive economic press we’ve been getting really has been making people notice Oklahoma and decide to give it a go.

We throw around trendy cities like Seattle and Portland when discussing streetcar, but a very successful system is right next door in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2004, Little Rock opened its River Rail service, a heritage trolley line. Functionally, heritage trolleys are the same as the modern streetcar we will be getting, but I think their vintage design seems to appeal more to the tourist crowd. No doubt the River Rail is used by residents as well.

Little Rock has 3.4 miles of streetcar, connecting hotels, tourist attractions, historic neighborhoods, a convention center, an arena, and the office district. The original 2.5 miles were built in 2004 for only $8 million per mile, which is cheap since $10-20 million per mile is a generally acceptable estimate. It has been doubling ridership expectations, with about 3,000 per day. They only charge $2 for a day pass on River Rail, so this low price may be a reason for the high ridership.

The layout of the track is basically two small loops connected by a single-track bridge over the Arkansas River, with an extension to the Clinton Library. Looks like the schedule generally offers 15-minute service.