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The Raleigh-Durham area was the nation's sixth fastest-growing metropolitan area over the last decade.

Census Bureau figures show the region grew 39 percent to a population of one-point-two million from 1990 to 2000. The Triangle metro area includes Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Orange and Wake counties.

That's the sixth-highest growth rate among metro areas of half-a-(M)-million or more.

Among the 280 metro areas in the nation, the Triangle ranked 41st in size. The R.T.P. area passed regions such as Hartford, Connecticut; Buffalo, New York; and Jacksonville, Florida.

The Charlotte region stepped up just place during the decade to become the nation's 33rd largest metro area.