Census: Raleigh, Cary among fastest growing cities

Raleigh and Cary are among the top 10 fastest growing cities in the nation, according to figures released Friday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The population for both cities grew more than 3 percent from 2010 to 2011, earning them a spot in the top 10 list for U.S. cities population growth rate.

Raleigh is No. 10, with a July 2011 population estimate of 416,468. The estimate marks a 3.1 percent increase over the previous year.

Cary’s 2011 estimate is 139,633, reflecting an annual growth rate of 3.2 percent, the ninth highest.

Durham’s 2.2 percent population growth pushed it ahead of Winston-Salem to the fourth largest city in the state slot.

According to the data, Raleigh edged up a notch to be the 42nd largest city in the United States. The Capital City is nestled between Omaha, Neb., with a population of 415,068, and Colorado Springs, Colo., with a population of 426,388.

Other municipalities growing at the greatest clip between 2010 and 2011 are: New Orleans at 4.9 percent; Round Rock, Texas, 4.8 percent; Austin, Texas, at 3.8 percent; Plano, Texas, at 3.8 percent; McKinney, Texas, at 3.8 percent; Frisco, Texas, at 3.8 percent; Denton, Texas, at 3.4 percent; and Denver at 3.3 percent.