From Deseret News archives:
Utah ranks 6th in U.S. with 2.4% growth rate
Some say Census Bureau undercounts the state
Utah's population still exceeds Nevada's, but barely, according to the estimates, which show Nevada's population at just under 2.5 million. And Arizona has surpassed Nevada as the nation's fastest-growing state with a growth rate of 3.6 percent.
"What the data shows to me is Utah continues to be one of the fastest-growing states in the nation," said Robert Spendlove, the state's top demographer. "We've been in the top 10 for the past several years. ... Utah is at the center of a dynamic area of the country."
However, Spendlove and other demographers believe the Census Bureau is undercounting Utah's population by about 65,000 people.
The Utah Population Estimates Committee contends the state's population broke 2.6 million people this year, with a growth rate of 2.7 percent, said Spendlove, manager of demographic and economic analysis for the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget.
"They are still different, but the difference has narrowed," Spendlove said. "One of the reasons it has narrowed ... is migration is much closer to what we think migration should be for the year 2006."
It's important for the census estimates to be accurate, in part because they're tied to federal funding in areas such as transportation and health care, Spendlove said.
If there is a disagreement about the population count, it's common for cities and counties to submit challenges, but Spendlove said it is difficult for small areas, and yearly local challenges can become tedious.
"The theory is that if the state can essentially act in the interest of all areas within the state to ensure all the estimates are the best they can be, it would take the burden off some of our local areas," Spendlove said.
Provo has spent about 40 work hours on three successful challenges to its census estimates, said Gary McGinn, director of community development for Provo.
The city would appreciate the help from the state but would still want to make sure it agrees with the state estimates, he said.
"An accurate picture of what's happening in your city... is invaluable to have," he said. "It really does affect the distribution of tax moneys."
Comments
- US says sanctions possible for Iran 11:13 a.m.
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd 11:12 a.m.
- French, Afghan troops push on 10:47 a.m.
- In quieter Baghdad, bingo is back 10:45 a.m.
- Germans ID convert as terror suspect 10:44 a.m.
- Serb Patriarch Pavle dies 10:25 a.m.
- Palin's way of talkin' dissected 10:24 a.m.
- Sponsor for gay-rights bills found 9:53 a.m.
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:31 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
359 - BYU happy to escape with victory
207 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - TCU creams U.
167 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
130 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - Sloan may toy with starting lineup
87
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
this is so nice for us RSL fans and for the state of utah and SLC. The media...
Air Force is the second best team in the MWC. They're the only team that has...
Erosion is happening and it is all due to global warming! Someone should...
Not trying to downplay the loss of beach sand, but historical research will...
Good luck at nationals!!
Anyone one that competes knows at the time when you have to bare down, when...
can say believe us don't believe your eyes and ears, they can twist and...
Get used to it. Unless we can get to a real conference TCU will rule the MWC...
I agree with much of what has been said. Both the Democratic party and the...
Why in the world should anyone pummel you for having a different point of...


You can be the first to comment on this story.