Weatherford and Woodward were named among the countrys 10 fastest-growing areas between 2012 and 2013, according to census data.
By Jonathan Sutton Modified: March 26, 2014 at 7:47 pm Published: March 27, 2014
A continued economic upswing in the state has fueled population increases in the Oklahoma City metro and has turned two western Oklahoma towns into some of the fastest-growing in the country.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday, Woodward and Weatherford are among the top 10 fastest-growing small towns in the United States.
Both towns saw population increases of more than 3 percent from July 2012 to July 2013, continuing a trend that began four years ago. Since 2010, the populations of Woodward and Weatherford have increased each year, according to census data.
The towns joined several other Great Plains cities on the list, a fact census researchers attribute to the boom of oil and natural gas drilling in the area.
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries were the most rapidly growing part of our nations economy over the last several years, Census Bureau Director John H. Thompson said in a news release. A major reason was the energy boom on the Plains, which attracted job seekers from around the country.
Central Oklahoma saw population increases, as well, with the Oklahoma City metro gaining more than 22,000 people from 2012 to 2013.
The metro area, which census data counts as Oklahoma, Lincoln, Canadian, Logan, Cleveland, Grady and McClain counties, saw an overall population increase of 1.6 percent.
Individually, each of the counties saw increases during that year, but Canadian and McClain counties saw the largest increases of more than 2 percent.
Eric Long, research economist for the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, said the increases are following the larger pattern of Oklahoma Citys continued economic improvements.
Expansion in metro
However, unlike in western Oklahoma, oil and gas growth may not be the driving factor in population increases for the Oklahoma City area during the past two years.
Long said though the oil and gas industry has fueled a lot of economic growth in past years, it has flattened out recently in the metro area.
Other industries, like tourism, retail and construction, are the fastest growing right now, he said.
But Long said the biggest factor in population growth is jobs.
Migration patterns show people are relocating from out of state but also moving into Oklahoma City because there are more jobs here, Long said. Where jobs go, population goes.
By Jonathan Sutton Modified: March 26, 2014 at 7:47 pm Published: March 27, 2014
A continued economic upswing in the state has fueled population increases in the Oklahoma City metro and has turned two western Oklahoma towns into some of the fastest-growing in the country.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday, Woodward and Weatherford are among the top 10 fastest-growing small towns in the United States.
Both towns saw population increases of more than 3 percent from July 2012 to July 2013, continuing a trend that began four years ago. Since 2010, the populations of Woodward and Weatherford have increased each year, according to census data.
The towns joined several other Great Plains cities on the list, a fact census researchers attribute to the boom of oil and natural gas drilling in the area.
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries were the most rapidly growing part of our nations economy over the last several years, Census Bureau Director John H. Thompson said in a news release. A major reason was the energy boom on the Plains, which attracted job seekers from around the country.
Central Oklahoma saw population increases, as well, with the Oklahoma City metro gaining more than 22,000 people from 2012 to 2013.
The metro area, which census data counts as Oklahoma, Lincoln, Canadian, Logan, Cleveland, Grady and McClain counties, saw an overall population increase of 1.6 percent.
Individually, each of the counties saw increases during that year, but Canadian and McClain counties saw the largest increases of more than 2 percent.
Eric Long, research economist for the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, said the increases are following the larger pattern of Oklahoma Citys continued economic improvements.
Expansion in metro
However, unlike in western Oklahoma, oil and gas growth may not be the driving factor in population increases for the Oklahoma City area during the past two years.
Long said though the oil and gas industry has fueled a lot of economic growth in past years, it has flattened out recently in the metro area.
Other industries, like tourism, retail and construction, are the fastest growing right now, he said.
But Long said the biggest factor in population growth is jobs.
Migration patterns show people are relocating from out of state but also moving into Oklahoma City because there are more jobs here, Long said. Where jobs go, population goes.
