Troup’s population was 64,288, an increase of 698, or slightly more than 1 percent, from the 2007 estimate of 63,535. The 2000 census placed Troup at 58,779, meaning a 9.3 percent increase this decade. Troup remains the 34th most-populous county in Georgia.
LaGrange’s 2008 population estimate of 28,401 is 1.5 percent higher than the 2007 total of 27,977, while West Point’s population of 3,364 fell by nine over 2007, according to census data. Hogansville’s population of 2,912 was only two shy of the previous year. Each city’s population has remained roughly the same since 1990, with the exception of LaGrange, which has increased by nearly 3,000.
Neighboring Harris County has experienced more rapid growth - about 24 percent this decade - adding an estimated 5,752 people since the 2000 census to a current population of 29,447.
Other neighboring counties haven’t experienced much recent growth. Meriwether County’s population of 22,840 increased by only 306 since 2000 while Heard County grew by 464 during the same time frame. Coweta County’s population grew by 33,709 since 2000, an increase of more than 33 percent. Its population of 122,924 is largest among Troup’s neighboring counties.
County population estimates were generated by the number of housing units combined with number of residents who moved away compared to new residents. Populations of cities were based on the number of current, new and changed housing units, said Kathy Kinsella, Atlanta area spokeswoman for the Census Bureau.
LaGrange has issued 31 single-family housing permits so far this year compared to 37 by the same time last year, said Alton West, city community development director.
“We are a little behind this year compared to last year,” West said. “But overall, it looks like we could be pulling out of the recent troubles caused by the economy.”
West said the biggest impact on Troup and LaGrange’s housing projects and population is still to come.
“It’s still too early right now,” West said. “While there has been a significant impact caused by Kia, the real growth will happen over the next few years most likely.”
Douglas Bachtel, a demographer for the University of Georgia in Athens, echoed West’s statements and said Troup County’s location is one of the fastest-growing areas in Georgia.
“There is just a lot of growth coming to that area in the near future,” Bachtel said. “You have the Kia plant, which will produce much more growth alone in the next few years with its suppliers, but you also have the growing metropolitan areas of Atlanta and Columbus. Troup is located right between those areas and is poised to grow a good bit more and can also serve as a good location to live for an increased amount of commuters in the area. Atlanta is the second-fastest-growing city in the nation right behind Los Angeles, Calif.”
Kenneth Thompson can be reached at kethompson@ lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 228.
what a crock
It was only made up to give our local government a reason to raise taxes and spend our tax money