Metro Atlanta has added about 172,000 new residents in the past two years and remains the ninth-largest metro in America, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates issued Thursday.
Population here rose to 5,457,831 in 2012 from 5,286,732 in 2010.
America now has 52 metropolitan areas with populations of more than 1 million. Grand Rapids, Mich., is the latest addition to the club, with an estimated population of 1,005,648 as of July 1, 2012, the latest date for which official figures are available.
The Census Bureau issues annual population estimates for all metros, micros and counties across the country, based on its analysis of birth, death and immigration records.
The New York City metro area remains the nation’s largest, with an estimated population of 19.83 million.
Jacques Couret, Atlanta Business Journal.
