The U.S. Census has historically underestimated Minneapolis (and St. Paul) population between censuses (remember, the 2003 number was an ESTIMATE). The Met Council 2004 estimate is 382,295 a net loss of population in Minneapolis since the 2000 census of 452 people or about one tenth of one percent. (The statistician in me always wonders about "estimates" of six significant figures.) Most statisticians would say this is not statically significant.
Some quotes from the STib article on those Census estimates (the same one that published the estimates Vicky is quoting): from http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3980002.html: "There's a growing gap between what they are saying and what we believe is going on," said Tom Gillaspy, the state demographer. And Minneapolis Planning Director Chuck Ballentine said he finds it "hard to believe" the figures show his city shrinking. The estimates, Gillaspy said, are based on indicators that no longer reflect what's happening, especially in Minneapolis. "They are using data showing large-scale demolitions of housing in Minneapolis and carrying forward this data as though it were still happening," he said. "In reality, high-density housing has gone up on some of those same sites." Ballentine said other signs that point to continued growth are low vacancy rates and various indications that the flow of immigrants into Minneapolis and the region continues to be high. "There's no reason to suspect that there is anything but growth," he said. ........ For another look at the exidus/inodus, here is the Met Council employment estimates for Mpls in 1990 and 2000 (I think the only years available) 1990 278,438 2000 301,826 Some really fun Excel spreadsheets are at: http://www.metrocouncil.org/metroarea/AboutEstimates.htm and http://www.metrocouncil.org/metroarea/stats.htm ................................. Sheldon Mains Seward Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Minnesota > -----Original Message----- > From: Victoria Heller > Subject: [Mpls] Minneapolis Babble and Denial > ....<snip>.... > [Vicky here] Please cite your source. Here's mine which was > also published in the Strib a few months ago..... > > POPULATION DECREASE > The population of Minneapolis was estimated by the Census > Bureau to be 373,188 residents as of July 1, 2003. That was a > decrease of 0.7 percent from a year earlier and a decrease of > 2.5 percent from the 2000 Census. > > According to the 2000 Census, Minneapolis's population was > 382,618 residents, an increase of 3.8 percent from the > 368,383 residents in 1990. During the previous decade, the > city's population had decreased by 0.7 percent from 370,951 > residents in 1980. ,,,,<snip>.... ................................. Sheldon Mains Seward Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Minnesota REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
