Raleigh-Cary, N.C. metro area

Population and Migration

Total population: 1,088,765 (2009)

Growth: 35.4 percent (ranked 2nd among top 100 metro areas)

Domestic migration rate: 20.9 percent (ranked 3rd among top 100 metro areas)

Other high-growth cities: Provo, Utah; Austin, Texas; Las Vegas

Race and Ethnicity

Percent of population that is nonwhite: 34.5 percent (ranked 41st)

Percent growth in nonwhite population: 58.8 percent (ranked 8th)

Increase in nonwhite share of population: 4.9 percent (ranked 25th)

Immigration

Foreign-born population: 10.8 percent (ranked 41st)

Increase in foreign-born population, 2000-2008: 68.7 percent (ranked 9th)

Age and families

Increase in married-with-children households: 29.3 percent (ranked 3rd)

Increase in under-18 population, 2000-2008: 41.3 percent (ranked 3rd)

Other areas with high growth rates in number of children: Cape Coral, Fla.; Provo, Utah; Phoenix.

Increase in “pre-senior” population, ages 55 to 64, 2000-2008: 89.4 percent (ranked 1st)

Rate of growth in number of senior citizens, 2000-2008: 38.6 percent

Other metros with high increases in “pre-senior” population: Atlanta; Boise, Idaho; Portland, Ore.

Education

Percent of population age 25 and over with bachelor’s degree: 41.5 percent (ranked 6th)

Increase in percentage of population with bachelor’s degree, 2000-2008: 3.9 percent (ranked 33rd)

Other metros with similar levels of education: Bridgeport, Conn.; San Francisco; Boston; Madison, Wis.

Work

Decrease in wage for low-wage workers, 2000-2008: -11.3 percent

Decrease in wage for middle-wage workers, 2000-2008: -1.5 percent

Increase in wage for high-wage workers, 2000-2008: 3.4 percent

Income and Poverty

Median household income: $62,543

Decrease in median household income, 2000-2008: -6.5 percent (ranked 72nd)

Community

Commuters who drive alone: 80.1 percent (ranked 45th)

Commuters who use public transit: 1.1 percent (ranked 76th)

Increase in commuters who use public transit, 2000-2008: 62 percent (ranked 13th)

Source: The Brookings Institution

Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/05/09/474125/raleigh-area-is-poised-to-flourish.html?story_link=email_msg#ixzz0ngYcCDFL