I said it last year, and I'll say it again: Annual census estimates at the city level should be given about as much credibility as the 10-day weather forecast. Remember, these folks estimated that Minnepolis and St. Paul had lost population from 1990-1999, with the 2000 count showing 60,000 more people in the two cities than the 1999 estimate. And that's likely an undercount, given that the census was not permitted in 2000 to do its traditional adjustment for its documented undercounting of minorities.
Here's an excerpt from my story about that in early 2001: "Both the census and Metropolitan Council estimated declines for the two cities, although the council's projection was much more moderate. Estimating population in a big city can be tricky. Estimators have a good handle on housing units and rely on utility data to determine to what degree they are occupied, but they have little to guide them to changes in household size." Among factors potentially contributing to a potential contunuing Minneapolis population gain: the continued conversion and new construction of housing along the river and in infill sites; the repopulation of the North Side housing projects site after it was emptied before the 2000 census. Factors potentially contributing to a loss of Minneapolis population: The 9/11-induced slowdown of immigration by some groups that fueled population growth; the assimilation into their own housing units of people within those groups who had doubled up with relatives; a rising apartment vacancy rate that means that younger people aren't as likely to be forced to double up or triple up to find housing. Steve Brandt Star Tribune REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
