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.

With more than 600 square miles, Oklahoma City is one of the largest cities by land area in the country. Our average population density, which is frequently used by retailers, news organizations, and studies, is far lower than other major cities at approximately 800 people per square mile.

But 800 people per square mile is a false number. People who live here know that hundreds of square miles are rural or undeveloped land, and those bring the population density way down.

In order to try to find the true density of certain areas of OKC, I have used a zip code map from the phone book and the Census’ zip code statistics from 2000.

Blue

Population: 42,424; Land Area: 15.83 sm; Density 2,630 psm

This is the inner city area approximately bounded by I-40, Lincoln, Penn, and 63rd Street. Six zip codes are found within the blue zone. Density here is highest in 73102, central downtown, with 3,740 reported residents in .78 square miles (4,795 psm). 73106, west of downtown, was also high with 13,485 people in 3 square miles (4,421 psm).  73104 and 73105, the two zip codes east of I-235, have only 7,000 people in 6 square miles, so those two zip codes have densities of just over 1000 psm, so they bring the blue zone’s density down.

Green

Population: 180,565; Land Area: 61.42 sm; Density: 2,940 psm

The green area wraps around central downtown on the west side, including areas from the Kilpatrick Turnpike to I-240. The numbers include populations of independent municipalities found within the city’s limits, Nichols Hills and the Village. The densest zip code here is 73119 on the southwest side, with 28,584 in 6 square miles (4,772 psm).

Red

Population: 110,110; Land Area: 37.94 sm; Density: 2,902 psm

This area includes Warr Acres and Bethany and western developed portions of Oklahoma City, especially the Northwest Expressway corridor.

Yellow

Population: 164,010; Land Area: 72.49 sm; Density: 2,649 psm

The yellow area includes the I-240 corridor, the Tinker area, and Midwest and Del Cities. 73139, an area from S 59th to S 89th street, approximately between Penn and Shields, is the densest area with 3,789 psm.

White

Population: 26,923; Land Area: 51.63 sm; Density: 521.5 psm

I included the white area, the city’s northeastern quadrant, because it shows how undeveloped portions of the city are, even very close to the Capitol and Downtown.

Overall

Excluding the white zone, I found a population of 497,109 in 187.68 square miles. The average density of the developed portion of Oklahoma City (including internal municipalities) is 2,649 psm. That means about 45% of the metro population lives within 3% of the metro land area. Including the white zone, there were 524,032 people in 239.31 square miles (2,189 psm).

It will be interesting to see how these population areas change when the 2010 Census numbers are released, especially the blue area that has grown significantly in popularity and population since 2000.