New census data show continued suburban growth.

• Author: Besl, John R.

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released population estimates for Indiana's 92 counties, revealing that the strong suburban growth trend of the 1990s is continuing. Below are some highlights from the data. More information can be found on the web at www.stats.indiana.edu/pop_totals_topic_page.html. The five fastest growing Hoosier counties are on the suburban fringes of Indianapolis, with each increasing over 4 percent since Census 2000 (see Figure 1).

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* Between April 1,2000 and July 1,2002, Hamilton County's population is estimated to have grown by almost 23,000. Trailing right behind on the numeric growth chart are two other suburban Indianapolis counties: Hendricks, with an estimated gain of 10,200 people, and Johnson, where population increased by 6,400. Allen County rounds out the list of counties with increases of 5,000 or more (see Figure 2).

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* In 22 counties, population has grown since the census, but only because natural increase (births minus deaths) has offset losses through migration. This group includes some of the state's largest counties: Marion, Lake, St. Joseph, and Elkhart. Over the two years...