3.8 million and counting

According to the latest population estimates just released by the U.S. Census Bureau, Inland Southern California once again led the state in population growth as both Riverside and San Bernardino counties ranked in the top 5 in the number of new residents. Together, the two counties added nearly 150,000 residents between July 2003 and July 2004, giving the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario PMSA a total population of 3.79 million (a 150% increase since 1980).

The new data show that Los Angeles County continued to be the most populous in the nation with 9.94 million residents. San Bernardino and Riverside counties are the 12th and 13th largest in total population nationwide.

Riverside Press-Enterprise – April 15, 2005

Numerically speaking, Riverside County was 2nd in the nation in new residents added (89,128) while San Bernardino County ranked 5th (58,936). Topping the numeric growth list — which is typically dominated by counties with large population bases — was Maricopa County (Phoenix) with 112,233 new residents. Los Angeles ranked 3rd (77,357), while Clark County (Las Vegas) was 4th (75,285).

Underscoring the surging population of the Inland Empire, Riverside County has replaced Los Angeles County as the state’s top destination for new residents, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday.

Los Angeles Times – April 15, 2005

Percentage-wise, Florida dominated with 14 counties placing among the Top 100 fastest-growing counties in the U.S. With a growth rate of 5%, Riverside County ranked 39th, leading all large counties (1 million plus population) nationwide in percentage gains. Nevada’s Clark County (4.8%) was the only other large county to make the percentage growth list, which is typically dominated by counties with small population bases.

Related

• Los Angeles Times – Inland Empire Is True to Its Name (April 15)
• Riverside Press-Enterprise – Riverside County second in growth nationwide (April 15)
• U.S. Census Bureau – 14 Florida Counties Among 100 Fastest-Growing

Sources: Los Angeles Times (LAT-20050415), Riverside Press-Enterprise (PE-20050415), U.S. Census

2024 PAGE UPDATE: Added newspaper citation/insert; removed outdated links to PDFs, newspaper articles, and U.S. Census Bureau report.