Omaha Population Explosion
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Omaha Population Explosion
I want to preface this with: I don't believe this at all.
BUT it has come up twice in two very different circles and two very different rumor-mill-ers, so I was curious if anyone could shed light on where the rumor is coming from.
2nd occurrence: "I heard Omaha is going to gain a ludicrous amount of people over the next five years. I don't remember the numbers but it was huge / ridiculous"
Original occurrence: Business owner from KC opening a store here (at a bar after hours):
"Kansas City is hemorrhaging, Omaha is exploding. The projections say Omaha will be bigger than KC within 8 years" I asked to clarify proper or metro and he insisted metro counts.
On the second count, that is effectively impossible in my book. Rope Omaha metro, and Lincoln and double that and we will barely beat KC metro...
But what the heck could be forming these rumors? Something happening here that conflicts with what census data is projecting?
BUT it has come up twice in two very different circles and two very different rumor-mill-ers, so I was curious if anyone could shed light on where the rumor is coming from.
2nd occurrence: "I heard Omaha is going to gain a ludicrous amount of people over the next five years. I don't remember the numbers but it was huge / ridiculous"
Original occurrence: Business owner from KC opening a store here (at a bar after hours):
"Kansas City is hemorrhaging, Omaha is exploding. The projections say Omaha will be bigger than KC within 8 years" I asked to clarify proper or metro and he insisted metro counts.
On the second count, that is effectively impossible in my book. Rope Omaha metro, and Lincoln and double that and we will barely beat KC metro...
But what the heck could be forming these rumors? Something happening here that conflicts with what census data is projecting?
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
KCMO is going to turn into St Louis, hollowed out central city and a ring of burbs vampirically feeding off the city, but not supporting it's costs. The MO side of that metro area has not recovered from the judicial fiat school taxes. All serious growth is going on in the Kansas side.
Omaha is already bigger than STL technically speaking as if you compare population of Omaha city and of STL city, STL is smaller.
Omaha is already bigger than STL technically speaking as if you compare population of Omaha city and of STL city, STL is smaller.
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
I think it's possible for Omaha proper to be larger than KCMO proper (and I sincerely hope someday this comes to pass), however I see two things impeding this possibility:
1. KCMO has reversed the trend of suburban flight. Their population increased 4.1% to 459K people between 2000 & 2010. This reflects a national trend which an empty old city like KCMO is in a perfect position to exploit.
2. Omaha is has great annexation laws, however long term we are restricted by political boundaries and physical geography. Unless the laws change Omaha cannot cross county lines. In addition Omaha is blocked from growing to the east and the west by the Missouri and Platte rivers. If Omaha wants to grow, it must not spread across the prairie, rather; it must grow up thereby increasing density.
1. KCMO has reversed the trend of suburban flight. Their population increased 4.1% to 459K people between 2000 & 2010. This reflects a national trend which an empty old city like KCMO is in a perfect position to exploit.
2. Omaha is has great annexation laws, however long term we are restricted by political boundaries and physical geography. Unless the laws change Omaha cannot cross county lines. In addition Omaha is blocked from growing to the east and the west by the Missouri and Platte rivers. If Omaha wants to grow, it must not spread across the prairie, rather; it must grow up thereby increasing density.
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Omaha proper is really close to KCMO in size for proper (~450k - 470k or about %5 difference)
By growth, Omaha had 4.9% (estimated) for 2010-2014 which is slowdown potentially from 2000-2010. (KCMO only grew 1%)
Omaha is also already almost 3 times as dense as KCMO.
KCK isn't doing much better either.
What's killing me is I can't find a reason for Omaha to pass KC (other than proper) any time soon, but I have heard a few times that Omaha is set to essentially boom.
Don't get me wrong, I think Omaha could with Durham, UNMC, several fortune 1000 companies, Benson, Dundee, Aksarben Village. Anyone from a midwest big city (Dallas, OKC, Tulsa, KC, St Louis) would really like Omaha for example, So if a company started try to bring massive amounts of people here, or an industry, I think they could easily.
But to anyone's knowledge, is there anything that could drive 20-40% growth? That would be a huge influx and still not meet what some of the hype I heard sounded like.
By growth, Omaha had 4.9% (estimated) for 2010-2014 which is slowdown potentially from 2000-2010. (KCMO only grew 1%)
Omaha is also already almost 3 times as dense as KCMO.
KCK isn't doing much better either.
What's killing me is I can't find a reason for Omaha to pass KC (other than proper) any time soon, but I have heard a few times that Omaha is set to essentially boom.
Don't get me wrong, I think Omaha could with Durham, UNMC, several fortune 1000 companies, Benson, Dundee, Aksarben Village. Anyone from a midwest big city (Dallas, OKC, Tulsa, KC, St Louis) would really like Omaha for example, So if a company started try to bring massive amounts of people here, or an industry, I think they could easily.
But to anyone's knowledge, is there anything that could drive 20-40% growth? That would be a huge influx and still not meet what some of the hype I heard sounded like.
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
We won't see Sun Belt like growth save for some massive job creation.
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
The Government placing 200,000 Syrian Refugees in Omaha.Athomsfere wrote:Omaha proper is really close to KCMO in size for proper (~450k - 470k or about %5 difference)
By growth, Omaha had 4.9% (estimated) for 2010-2014 which is slowdown potentially from 2000-2010. (KCMO only grew 1%)
Omaha is also already almost 3 times as dense as KCMO.
KCK isn't doing much better either.
What's killing me is I can't find a reason for Omaha to pass KC (other than proper) any time soon, but I have heard a few times that Omaha is set to essentially boom.
Don't get me wrong, I think Omaha could with Durham, UNMC, several fortune 1000 companies, Benson, Dundee, Aksarben Village. Anyone from a midwest big city (Dallas, OKC, Tulsa, KC, St Louis) would really like Omaha for example, So if a company started try to bring massive amounts of people here, or an industry, I think they could easily.
But to anyone's knowledge, is there anything that could drive 20-40% growth? That would be a huge influx and still not meet what some of the hype I heard sounded like.
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Along with Lutheran Family Services, the Gov could get those and some more from the over run of Europe. No interpreters, 3 months of support, then nothing. That could easily raise the number.Joe_Sovereign wrote:The Government placing 200,000 Syrian Refugees in Omaha.Athomsfere wrote:Omaha proper is really close to KCMO in size for proper (~450k - 470k or about %5 difference)
By growth, Omaha had 4.9% (estimated) for 2010-2014 which is slowdown potentially from 2000-2010. (KCMO only grew 1%)
Omaha is also already almost 3 times as dense as KCMO.
KCK isn't doing much better either.
What's killing me is I can't find a reason for Omaha to pass KC (other than proper) any time soon, but I have heard a few times that Omaha is set to essentially boom.
Don't get me wrong, I think Omaha could with Durham, UNMC, several fortune 1000 companies, Benson, Dundee, Aksarben Village. Anyone from a midwest big city (Dallas, OKC, Tulsa, KC, St Louis) would really like Omaha for example, So if a company started try to bring massive amounts of people here, or an industry, I think they could easily.
But to anyone's knowledge, is there anything that could drive 20-40% growth? That would be a huge influx and still not meet what some of the hype I heard sounded like.
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
My thoughts exactly! Any one know of any cities over 100k with 100% over a decade growth? Ever?iamjacobm wrote:We won't see Sun Belt like growth save for some massive job creation.
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Both of you: not cool! Except of course for the pop bump and maybe a dozen high rise projects :|bigredmed wrote:Along with Lutheran Family Services, the Gov could get those and some more from the over run of Europe. No interpreters, 3 months of support, then nothing. That could easily raise the number.Joe_Sovereign wrote:The Government placing 200,000 Syrian Refugees in Omaha.Athomsfere wrote:Omaha proper is really close to KCMO in size for proper (~450k - 470k or about %5 difference)
By growth, Omaha had 4.9% (estimated) for 2010-2014 which is slowdown potentially from 2000-2010. (KCMO only grew 1%)
Omaha is also already almost 3 times as dense as KCMO.
KCK isn't doing much better either.
What's killing me is I can't find a reason for Omaha to pass KC (other than proper) any time soon, but I have heard a few times that Omaha is set to essentially boom.
Don't get me wrong, I think Omaha could with Durham, UNMC, several fortune 1000 companies, Benson, Dundee, Aksarben Village. Anyone from a midwest big city (Dallas, OKC, Tulsa, KC, St Louis) would really like Omaha for example, So if a company started try to bring massive amounts of people here, or an industry, I think they could easily.
But to anyone's knowledge, is there anything that could drive 20-40% growth? That would be a huge influx and still not meet what some of the hype I heard sounded like.
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Cities like Chicago, Detroit in the 1800s and early 1900s grew faster than 100% and we're over 100K.Athomsfere wrote:My thoughts exactly! Any one know of any cities over 100k with 100% over a decade growth? Ever?iamjacobm wrote:We won't see Sun Belt like growth save for some massive job creation.
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Wow, you are correct. Even to 500k they were able to do it. If They could 100 years ago, then I guess if we had a need it could happen... Still not buying it will.
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Not cool? Maybe. Deserved? Oh yes. LFS and our federal govt dumped a bunch of immigrants on our city with no English proficiency or plan for ESL classes. Now our hospitals pay thousands of dollars a year for translator services that we are banned by federal law from billing for. Yeah!Athomsfere wrote:Both of you: not cool! Except of course for the pop bump and maybe a dozen high rise projects :|bigredmed wrote:Along with Lutheran Family Services, the Gov could get those and some more from the over run of Europe. No interpreters, 3 months of support, then nothing. That could easily raise the number.Joe_Sovereign wrote:The Government placing 200,000 Syrian Refugees in Omaha.Athomsfere wrote:Omaha proper is really close to KCMO in size for proper (~450k - 470k or about %5 difference)
By growth, Omaha had 4.9% (estimated) for 2010-2014 which is slowdown potentially from 2000-2010. (KCMO only grew 1%)
Omaha is also already almost 3 times as dense as KCMO.
KCK isn't doing much better either.
What's killing me is I can't find a reason for Omaha to pass KC (other than proper) any time soon, but I have heard a few times that Omaha is set to essentially boom.
Don't get me wrong, I think Omaha could with Durham, UNMC, several fortune 1000 companies, Benson, Dundee, Aksarben Village. Anyone from a midwest big city (Dallas, OKC, Tulsa, KC, St Louis) would really like Omaha for example, So if a company started try to bring massive amounts of people here, or an industry, I think they could easily.
But to anyone's knowledge, is there anything that could drive 20-40% growth? That would be a huge influx and still not meet what some of the hype I heard sounded like.
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Figures on that? News article?
Just curious what the numbers are for Omaha?
Just curious what the numbers are for Omaha?
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
The Kansas side down there is growing the fastest, as is the Sarpy side here. I just don't see nor have I heard ANYTHING on some sort of out of the blue population explosion for Omaha proper in the next eight years.
Greg
Greg
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Annexing Lincoln?
When fortune smiles on something as violent and ugly as revenge, it seems proof like no other that not only does God exist, you're doing his will.
The Bride
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Not enough. Des Moines though...RNcyanide wrote:Annexing Lincoln?
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Any Chance that Omaha and Lincoln could be combined into one MSA like Dallas-Ft. Worth or Minneapolis-St.Paul?
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Some day, the commuter rates between each city are not high enough right now.GoBigRed79 wrote:Any Chance that Omaha and Lincoln could be combined into one MSA like Dallas-Ft. Worth or Minneapolis-St.Paul?
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
It would depend on if places like Greenwood and Ashland can start drawing people in, too.
When fortune smiles on something as violent and ugly as revenge, it seems proof like no other that not only does God exist, you're doing his will.
The Bride
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
I agree someday, if Omaha and Lincoln keep up their current growth rates I'd say in ~30 years... Even at that at current growth rates that would still be a CSA of 1.6 million (quick mental math) so a big gap from KC MSA's current size.GoBigRed79 wrote:Any Chance that Omaha and Lincoln could be combined into one MSA like Dallas-Ft. Worth or Minneapolis-St.Paul?
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
I don't really see Omaha ever catching up with KC. KC is growing from within, they annexed the Northland years ago (that's why their density is so 'low'), while Omaha is only growing by annexation. I don't know how you could ever describe KC as 'hemorrhaging'. I expect their inner city growth to explode as well, with completion of their light rail.
This is no contest, be happy we're seeing continued moderate growth of our own.
This is no contest, be happy we're seeing continued moderate growth of our own.
Shoot for the Moon... if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
GoBigRed79 wrote:Any Chance that Omaha and Lincoln could be combined into one MSA like Dallas-Ft. Worth or Minneapolis-St.Paul?
Would we be the urban sprawl undisputed champs then?
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Growing together doesn't necessarily mean that Omaha and Lincoln would become one metro. Los Angeles and Riverside-San Bernardino are two separate metros, but have contiguous urban development. Same with San Francisco-Oakland and San Jose.
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
With the improved economy, the massive European Village project will be getting under way soon... millions of square feet of executive office space, a couple million square feet of commercial space, up to ten thousand apartments and condos, a theater district for broadway shows, thousands of hotel rooms, convention center, amusement park, medical research park, indoor water park and aquarium, indoor zoo, Ikea, Macy's, Nordstroms, Neiman Marcus, 600 ft observation tower, museum district, etc.. This might explain why there will be a huge population explosion soon. Expect an announcement in the next 30-90 days. Hahaha.
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
I see no evidence that metro Omaha is growing much more than 1.0% per year. How that represents an "explosion" is beyond my comprehension. Why is that word even used in the title of this thread?
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Easy answer is the rumor is simply false, unless it's happening in a parallel universe where an inland see has formed west of Gretna and 14,000 foot mountains have risen 30 miles east of Council Bluffs.
He said "They are some big, ugly red brick buildings"
...and then they were gone.
...and then they were gone.
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
It was probably one of those "drunk-uncle" kinda utterances. According to the census data Omaha has been growing faster than KC. Omaha's strong economy, shortage of skilled workers and so forth it should be growing faster why it's not is a head scratcher. But given national trends and these local factors the growth rate should tick up but explode that's more of a Des Moines thing.
15-17, 26, 32
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
According to the US Census the Omaha metro increased in population by 12.8%. http://www.census.gov/population/www/ce ... h-t-5.htmlnativeomahan wrote:I see no evidence that metro Omaha is growing much more than 1.0% per year. How that represents an "explosion" is beyond my comprehension. Why is that word even used in the title of this thread?
Also according to the US Census population estimates the population of Omaha proper has risen 5.5% between 2010 & 2014.
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/3137000.html
It appears at least one journalist in KC is distressed by these facts:
http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-c ... 65205.html
Last edited by daveoma on Sat Nov 21, 2015 1:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Overall, this is a bogus thread. There is no upcoming population explosion coming to Omaha.daveoma wrote:According to the US Census the Omaha metro undressed in population by 12.8%. http://www.census.gov/population/www/ce ... h-t-5.htmlnativeomahan wrote:I see no evidence that metro Omaha is growing much more than 1.0% per year. How that represents an "explosion" is beyond my comprehension. Why is that word even used in the title of this thread?
Also according to the US Census population estimates the population of Omaha proper has risen 5.5% between 2010 & 2014.
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/3137000.html
It appears at least one journalist in KC is distressed by these facts:
http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-c ... 65205.html
Even in this post that shows Omaha growing at 12.8, the KC area is growing at 10.9. With these, the Omaha metro grew at 98k, while KC metro grew at 198k (in other words their metro population grew by 100k more).
Greg
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
For what it's worth the housing stock has slowing atrophied through the past year....
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Does that mean there is a shortage of houses or an abundance of houses?MTO wrote:For what it's worth the housing stock has slowing atrophied through the past year....
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Meaning there are fewer houses total? Or fewer houses available?MTO wrote:Slowly shrunk
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Well, it is cold outside...MTO wrote:Slowly shrunk
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Ah my bad I'm referring to listings.Louie wrote:Meaning there are fewer houses total? Or fewer houses available?MTO wrote:Slowly shrunk
15-17, 26, 32
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
That's what I figured, just wanted to make sure.MTO wrote:Ah my bad I'm referring to listings.Louie wrote:Meaning there are fewer houses total? Or fewer houses available?MTO wrote:Slowly shrunk
Re: Omaha Population Explosion
Don't want anyone to think they're tearing down houses all of a sudden.Louie wrote:That's what I figured, just wanted to make sure.MTO wrote:Ah my bad I'm referring to listings.Louie wrote:Meaning there are fewer houses total? Or fewer houses available?MTO wrote:Slowly shrunk
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Re: Omaha Population Explosion
There is no normal reason that Omaha would grow in some radical way. That is why I answered the question of what could cause a population explosion with a farfetched answer of 200,000 refugees.
There are only two scenarios I can imagine that could cause it and both are incredibly far fetched.
One would be mass migration due to some natural or man made disaster although why Omaha would become the sole destination I don't know.
The second scenario would be some kind of technologic or cultural revolution centered on Omaha. Radical world changing technology invented by an Omaha company whose monopoly on such a wonder product allowed it to draw workers and related businesses to Omaha rather than the Company having to move it's production or other facilities to more competitive areas. A cultural phenomenon such as a brand new massively popular music genre emerging from Omaha or a massively popular new religion or religious leader headquartered in Omaha could lead to a population explosion.
They all seem very unlikely and they are extremely hard to predict.
There are only two scenarios I can imagine that could cause it and both are incredibly far fetched.
One would be mass migration due to some natural or man made disaster although why Omaha would become the sole destination I don't know.
The second scenario would be some kind of technologic or cultural revolution centered on Omaha. Radical world changing technology invented by an Omaha company whose monopoly on such a wonder product allowed it to draw workers and related businesses to Omaha rather than the Company having to move it's production or other facilities to more competitive areas. A cultural phenomenon such as a brand new massively popular music genre emerging from Omaha or a massively popular new religion or religious leader headquartered in Omaha could lead to a population explosion.
They all seem very unlikely and they are extremely hard to predict.
Last edited by Joe_Sovereign on Wed Mar 09, 2016 11:25 am, edited 1 time in total.