A region's economy thrives or dives because of the people who choose to live there. That choice may occur by being born there and desiring to stay, or a more deliberate one of choosing to relocate from somewhere else. Monitoring change in the size and movement of population is an important barometer of well-being.
Population Over Time | |||||
2000 | 2010 | 2017 | 2020 | 2023 | |
Total Population | 484,582 | 496,112 | 484,834 | 498,705 | 500,598 |
Change Since 2000 | 11,530 | 252 | 14,123 | 16,016 | |
Pct. Change Since 2000 | 2.4% | 0.1% | 2.9% | 3.3% | |
Components of Population Change 2022 to 2023 | ||
Number | ||
Net Domestic Migration | -19 | |
International Migration | 708 | |
Natural Increase (births minus deaths) | 246 | |
Births | 5,653 | |
Deaths | 5,407 |
Population Estimates by Age in 2023 | ||
Number | Pct. Dist | |
Preschool (0 to 4) | 28,618 | 5.7% |
School Age (5 to 17) | 86,610 | 17.3% |
College Age (18 to 24) | 41,817 | 8.4% |
Young Adult (25 to 44) | 126,142 | 25.2% |
Older Adult (45 to 64) | 125,755 | 25.1% |
Older (65 plus) | 91,656 | 18.3% |
Population Estimates by Race and Hispanic Origin in 2023 | ||
Number | Pct. Dist | |
American Ind. or Alaskan Native Alone | 2,797 | 0.6% |
Asian Alone | 8,868 | 1.8% |
Black Alone | 123,091 | 24.6% |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pac. Isl. Alone | 373 | 0.1% |
White Alone | 354,217 | 70.8% |
Two or More Race Groups | 11,252 | 2.2% |
Hispanic or Latino | ||
Non-Hispanic or Latino | 394,141 | 78.7% |
Hispanic or Latino | 106,457 | 21.3% |
Households in 2022 | ||
Number | Pct. Dist | |
Total Households | 191,872 | 100.0% |
Family Households | 125,024 | 65.2% |
Married with Children | 30,293 | 15.8% |
Married without Children | 52,741 | 27.5% |
Single Parents | 22,170 | 11.6% |
Other | 19,820 | 10.3% |
Non-family Households | 66,848 | 34.8% |
Living Alone | 56,826 | 29.6% |
Average Household Size | 2.60 | |
Average Family Household Size | 4.00 |
Population Counts by Decade | |||
Population | Numerical Chg. | Pct. Chg. | |
1950 | 368,152 | NA | NA |
1960 | 513,269 | 145,117 | 39.4% |
1970 | 546,253 | 32,984 | 6.4% |
1980 | 522,917 | -23,336 | -4.3% |
1990 | 475,594 | -47,323 | -9.0% |
2000 | 484,582 | 8,988 | 1.9% |
2010 | 496,112 | 11,530 | 2.4% |
2020 | 498,705 | 2,593 | 0.5% |
Population Projections | |||||
2020 | 2025 | 2030 | 2035 | 2040 | |
Population Projections | 498,932 | 502,074 | 504,125 | 504,206 | 501,977 |
Change Since 2020 | 3,142 | 5,193 | 5,274 | 3,045 | |
Pct. Change Since 2020 | 0.6% | 1.0% | 1.1% | 0.6% | |