Raleigh, N.C. — The City of Raleigh’s population is expected to grow to 600,000 by 2030 based on national population trends, city leaders said Wednesday.

Raleigh’s population in July was about 380,000 people – an 85 percent increase from the 207,000 people recorded by the 1990 Census. The metropolitan population was 1.5 million in July.

In 2008, more than 1,000 people – a record number – have moved to downtown increasing the population there to 6,000, city officials estimate

City Planner Mitchell Silver and Raleigh Downtown Alliance Director David Diaz shared the population data and their visions for the city during a meeting with business leaders on Wednesday.

They envision downtown becoming the central city in the region – a shift from the current hub, the Research Triangle Park. Leaders see more companies following the lead of RBC Bank and setting up headquarters in the city.

“It’s about choices, and we believe we can capture some of those firms that want to be in an urban setting,” Silver said.

Development in downtown is expected to stay flat next year but pick up in 2010, officials estimate. While some residential projects have been delayed, others like 222 Glenwood and Bloomsbury Estate are more than 50 percent under contract and in demand, Diaz said.

“They’re all 50 to 100 percent sold,” Diaz said.

To make Raleigh a destination and increase the tax base, city officials said the city needs an outdoor concert venue, a sports arena and a better transit system.

City planners will unveil the Comprehensive Plan for Raleigh to the public in early December.