Provo-Orem area projected to have largest growth nationwide

Provo-Orem area projected to have largest growth nationwide

Heidi Toth - Daily Herald | Posted: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 5:43 pm

PROVO -- People may complain about Utah's large families, but if CNN Money is right, that birth rate is going to be the biggest factor in getting Utah a fourth seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

CNN Money on Tuesday predicted that the Provo-Orem metropolis would grow by 47 percent from the last Census 10 years ago, which is more growth than any other city in the nation. One big reason for the growth: for every death, more than six babies are born.

There's more to the story than that, said Mayor John Curtis; Provo consistently has high rankings for quality of life, health, recreational opportunities, safety and well-being. New people are moving here, and people are having large families, and both new and old people are staying, which is how the city's population jumped.

"This is clearly a place where families like to stay and have extended family close by," he said.

In addition to the possible fourth seat, the cities could receive additional Census-related funding above the $300 million received in 2008 and additional sales tax funding, which is partially determined by population. Curtis will be making a cameo on CNN today to discuss the growth.

"We'll make sure we pick out his tie really wisely," Deputy Mayor Corey Norman joked.

April 1 is Census Day, and preliminary results based on the 52 percent of U.S. households who have returned their Census forms will be released. About 53 percent of Utah households have returned their Census forms, according to the U.S. Census, although that varies widely by neighborhood.

A report released in December by Election Data Services showed that if congressional districts were redrawn at the end of last year, Utah would gain a seat. CNN sourced Election Data Services in its predictions, which at the end of the day are still just predictions.

"Whether their predictions pan out, I don't know," Provo spokeswoman Helen Anderson said.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/news/1003/gallery.Census_winners_losers/index.html

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/