Micropolitan estimates 2008

Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, DesMoines, and the rest of Nebraska and Iowa

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Candleshoe
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Micropolitan estimates 2008

Post by Candleshoe »

Grand Island, NE MICRO
(2008 est) 70,694
(2007 est) 69,634
(2000) 68,305
(ranking) 122

Kearney, NE MICRO
(2008 est) 51,833
(2007 est) 51,522
(2000) 49,141
(ranking) 226

Norfolk, NE MICRO
(2008 est) 47,561
(2007 est) 47,684
(2000) 49,538
(ranking) 257

Hastings, NE MICRO
(2008 est) 39,508
(2007 est) 39,204
(2000) 38,190
(ranking) 347

Scottsbluff, NE MICRO
(2008 est) 37,289
(2007 est) 37,032
(2000) 37,770
(ranking) 378

North Platte, NE MICRO
(2008 est) 36,831
(2007 est) 36,685
(2000) 35,939
(ranking) 386

Fremont, NE MICRO
(2008 est) 35,872
(2007 est) 35,911
(2000) 36,160
(ranking) 400

Columbus, NE MICRO
(2008 est) 32,072
(2007 est) 31,800
(2000) 31,662
(ranking) 438

Lexington, NE MICRO
(2008 est) 26,591
(2007 est) 26,531
(2000) 26,508
(ranking) 498

Beatrice, NE MICRO
(2008 est) 23,035
(2007 est) 23,161
(2000) 22,993
(ranking) 522


And finally, just for fun... two "what ifs", combining the Tri-Cities into one Metro (which would never happen, just pretend)

Tri Cities, NE FANTASY METRO
(2008 est) 162,035
(2007 est) 160,360
(2000 census) 155,636
(ranking) 241

And combining GI and Hastings, which theoretically COULD happen. the two cities are only 18 miles apart, city limit to city limit...
Grand Island/Hastings, NE FANTASY METRO
(2008 est) 110,202
(2007 est) 108,838
(2000 census) 106,495
(ranking) 326
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gisbuxfan
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Post by gisbuxfan »

Never say never

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nativeomahan
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Post by nativeomahan »

It is sad to see that none of these towns shows much growth in the past 8 years, and several show actual shrinkage!  Nebraska is more and more transitioning to an Omaha/Lincoln based economy.
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gisbuxfan
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Post by gisbuxfan »

I agree and disagree at the same time. In fact as far as shrinkage goes, Hastings is one of them. This is surprising considering its a college town and normally, those grow. As far as Grand Island, its had some rough years. While for so long this has been a "blue collar hub" with factories like Case New Holland, Swift, Standard Iron, amongst others, in recent years it has been trying to grow out of that. The hospital addition this last year was a big step toward a more white collar community. In fact, I would say Grand Island's medical services are whats causing the growth here. The issue is that moving from blue to white, regardless the town is a slow and tedious process.

Once Grand Island has the retail/commercial to follow up on the medical service area, I think it will be a booming city. We are keeping our fingers crossed for 50,000 this census. That, I believe, will get us more govt funding for services such as public transportation. Woohoo!
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