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| July 11, 2001
2001 population numbers released; King County nation’s 12th largest county
King County Executive Ron Sims today said that King County’s population increased to 1,758,300, up 1.2 percent from last year's census. The numbers are according to the Washington State Office of Financial Management's recently released population estimates for April 2001. With more people than 10 whole states, including Nebraska, the Census found King County to be the 12th largest county in the United States.
"We will be analyzing the data more completely," said Sims. "Our planners will use this information in helping determine future policies for King County and the region. We are quite excited to see what the emerging picture of our County tell us, and being a part of shaping its future."
Sims said that last year's census findings were about 50,000 higher than the OFM had expected. Over the past ten years King County, the state's largest county, has maintained a steady increase in population, and the population has gone up 14 percent since 1991; which is equivalent to about 216,000 persons, added Chandler Felt, the county’s demographer.
The majority of the County's growth has taken place in urban-designated parts of the County. Seattle, the state's largest city with 568,100 persons, has nearly one third of the County's population. The rural areas have grown more slowly than had been expected, due in part to the success of Sims’ growth management policies. The population in unincorporated areas is now 353,600, up 1.1 percent from the census, but down almost 160,000 from 1990 because of the creation of eight new cities.
"King County is continuing to grow," said Sims. "We are often referred to as 'nature's playground.' With green open spaces and blue waters, our vibrant cities and mountains showcase King County's unparalleled quality of life. We will continue to work to ensure that quality will always be as high as it is today."
The 2001 population determinations will be used to allocate certain revenues to local governments according to RCW 43.62.020 and RCW 36.13.100. Allocations to counties based on the most recent numbers should begin fall 2001. Allocations to the cities and towns should begin in January 2002. Meanwhile, more new data will arrive from the 2000 census later this year and in 2002.
» Related information: King County Office of Regional Policy & Planning
Updated: July 11, 2001
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