Word that East Texas is a good place to live, work and retire seems to be spreading.
Tyler's population is listed as 96,900 or 15.8 percent higher than the previous count, which figured the population at 83,650, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Smith County's population rose to 209,714, a 20 percent increase from 174,706 a decade ago.
As it sometimes does with unemployment and other statistics, Smith County mirrored the trend of the Lone Star State, for which the population increased to about 25.2 million, a 20.6 percent increase from about 20.9 million in 2000.
Wood County saw the region's second-largest jump at 14.2 percent, growing to 41,964 from 36,752. Rusk County had a 12.6 percent increase, expanding to 53,330 from 47,372.
Upshur County followed just behind, with the population growing to 39,309, an 11.4 percent increase from 35,291 a decade earlier.
Cherokee, Van Zandt, Anderson, Henderson and Gregg counties only saw single-digit increases, ranging between 6.1 percent for Anderson to 9.3 percent for Gregg; Anderson's population grew to 58,458 from 55,109, while Gregg's population grew to 121,730 from 111,379.
Other Texas data shows the five most populated incorporated areas include Houston, 2,099,451; San Antonio, 1,327,407; Dallas, 1,197,816; Austin, 790,390; and Fort Worth, 741,206.
These figures constitute increases ranging from 0.8 percent in Dallas to 38.6 percent in Fort Worth.
Texas has experienced other changes in the past decade as well -- additional data about the people who call Texas home is expected to be released Friday.
"What we know is to this point is there is a 20.6 percent increase" in the state's population," said Jenna Arnold, media specialist with the Dallas Regional Office of the Census Bureau.
In April, the population of the U.S. was estimated at 308,745,538.
LOCALS REACT
Reactions to the data vary.
U.S. Rep. Louis Gohmert, R-Tyler, predicts the number of people who find East Texas a pleasant place to live and work will continue to grow.
"When you think about how much economic devastation occurred since 9-11, and where most of the country is, and then you look at Smith County's increase in population ... I think that (increase) is extremely respectful, especially when you think about how many people flock to bigger cities like Dallas looking to make a better life for themselves."
Gohmert said when comparing numbers in congressional districts, the average being about 698,000, his district is about 24,000 to 25,000 more people.
"I'm very pleased with the slow and stable growth that we're having," he said. "I look forward to doing twice as well in the next decade."
State Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, said shifts in population can affect representation in the Texas Senate and House, but more definitive figures will be necessary before anyone can say for sure.
He said figures released Thursday seem somewhat accurate.
"We will see, as a region, what kind of growth we have," he said. "I don't have any concerns. We all know our area of the state has seen growth, but a lot has been outside our city limits. This is why it's important for people to fill out the forms."
Tom Mullins, Tyler Economic Development Council president/CEO, said he also is looking forward to final numbers.
"I am surprised that the numbers are lower than even their (Census) projections," he said. "Their projections last year were at 98,000."
Given the extent of growth in Tyler, the economy, traffic and other factors that indicate an uptick in population, Mullins said preliminary numbers just don't seem accurate.
"I'm glad we're growing," he said. "We've had healthy growth. We'd like to see all the data and hopefully get a truer picture of that growth. My first reaction is that it seems low."
State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, said it's too early in the process to speculate on how much the numbers could possibly affect factors, such as redistricting.
"The re-districting process will start along I-35 and then move east and west," he said.
He said East Texas is fortunate to have growth because other areas, such as West Texas, aren't so lucky. Berman said in some cases incumbents in different districts may have to run against each other if their areas consolidate.
Smith County's numbers are strong enough that shouldn't be a problem, he said, adding, "It should be pretty good for us."
City Manager Mark McDaniel said he's also anxious to see more information.
"We just got the data and we're in the process of analyzing it right now," McDaniel said, adding it's unclear whether preliminary census figures accurately reflect new annexation areas and number of people per household.
McDaniel said there are a lot of different variables to examine "to see if we think it's accurate or not. At that point, we'll be prepared to comment on it."
Some residents, such as Billy Jones, 52, seem more focused on the quality of life than crunching numbers.
He and his wife, Beje' moved to Tyler about three years ago, and says it's only a matter of time before others realize the benefits of a slower pace.
"We were getting married," he said. "I was raised in Shreveport, she was in Longview. We decided to meet in the middle. We spent a day in Tyler and loved it. Everyone was so friendly and we liked the way the city was laid out."
The relocation has worked out so well, Jones said his mother also has decided to make Tyler home.
"We all love it here," he said.
