The federal government knows where you live, how many people live in your house and how many toilets you have. The population of the United States, as of 2010, was 308,745,538.
The Census Bureau released data which shows McDowell County and Marion have grown in population, while Old Fort is down slightly. And while the population of North Carolina is growing at a faster rate than the national average, the state did not pick up a seat in Congress.
The population of the county has grown by more than 2,000 in the last decade, according to census data. In 2000, the recorded population was 42,151; in 2010 it was 44,996. The county added nearly 2,000 "housing units," increasing from 18,377 to 20,808. These figures take in the county as a whole, including the residents of Marion and Old Fort.
At first glance, Marion's population showed what appears to be a population boom; from 4,943 residing in 2,351 housing units in 2000 to 7,838 people comprising 3,132 households in 2010.
A statement on the city's website boasts: "Since 1970, Marion has increased in population by more than 135 percent." The most recent decade's population growth "places Marion among the fastest growing communities in North Carolina," the site reads.
However, at least some of that expanding population comes from expanding area; the past decade has seen several annexations -- notably Eastfield and Clinchfield -- increase the size of Marion's footprint.
Old Fort's population declined in the same decade, from 963 residents in 496 households in 2000 to 909 people occupying 487 households in 2010.
Demographically, the populations break down as follows:
White: Marion, 5,999; Old Fort, 896; McDowell, 40,754
Black or African American: Marion, 872; Old Fort, 123; McDowell, 1,708
American Indian: Marion, 40; Old Fort, 1; McDowell, 189
Asian: Marion, 59; Old Fort, 3; McDowell, 351
Hispanic or Latino of any race: Marion, 1,028; Old Fort, 26; McDowell, 2,392
"Some other race" was checked by 1,442 census respondents in the county. Those checking "two or more races" numbered 551. The census counted one native Hawaiian or other Pacific islander in McDowell.
North Carolina actually grew at a rate almost twice as much as the country as a whole.
The recorded resident U.S. population of 308,745,538 individuals represents a 9.7-percent increase nationally for the decade. North Carolina's population grew by 18.5 percent. More than 9.5 million people live in the state.
Ferrel Guillory, director for the University of North Carolina Public Life Program, said that growth represents a tangible cultural shift in the state.
"We're not Mayberry anymore, you know, we aren't a state that's just a collection of small towns and small cities,” Guillory said. “We really have become a megastate."
One place that megastate status doesn't show up is in Congress, where census numbers determine how many representatives each state will get. North Carolina remains unchanged with 13 of the House of Representatives' 435 seats. There's no change for neighboring Virginia either. However, South Carolina is a winner, increasing its seats from six to seven.
Overall, eight states gained a total of 12 seats. Texas adds four. Florida adds two. Ten states lost seats. New York and Ohio each decreased by two representatives.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement