So we hear this rah-rah every year;
The population of Sioux Falls now is estimated at 190,750, according Director of Planning and Development Services Jeff Eckhoff.
The new total is 3,550 more people than year, marking a 1.9 percent growth rate. Last year, the city grew by 2.1 percent.
Since January 1, 2000, the city has seen a 67,000-person increase in our population. The last U.S. Census Bureau estimate in July 2018 showed a 4,995 increase—or 2.82 percent increase. By 2025, the population of Sioux Falls is projected to be 208,000.
Eckhoff said population figures relate to housing units required, and housing units consume land area; therefore, the land area needed is directly tied to the population figures within annual estimates and projections.
It’s going to be interesting to hear the ACTUAL population of Sioux Falls after the official census. It could be higher, but my guess is it will either be close to the estimate or lower.
While using housing units is ONE way to get an idea of population increase, it’s probably not that accurate because it is based on averages. I would like to see how many death and birth certificates were issued in Sioux Falls last year. I would also like to know how many minors moved to Sioux Falls last year with parents. My guess based on some figures from a few years ago, a big part of our population growth has to do with newborns.
Like I said, the Census will give us a better idea of the actual population. It will also give us a clear view of our workforce (how many people actually have full-time jobs that are not retired or minors). One reason why the city started bragging about these projections started with the former mayor, because population is tied to our bond rating, and the more people we have, the more we can borrow. I have often said that rating should only be tied to adults that are working full-time and NOT to minors, retired folks or part-timers.