Census: Vancouver population tops 161,000

There’s a recession on in Clark County, but census numbers show that Clark County grew faster than any of the Portland metro area counties in the last decade — and faster than any of the five largest counties in Washington, too.

Vancouver grew 12.7 percent in the last decade and has reached a population of 161,791, according to 2010 Census numbers released today. Clark County grew 23.2 percent in the decade, to 425,363.

Today’s release data for Washington show that the five most populous incorporated places and their 2010 Census counts are Seattle, 608,660; Spokane, 208,916; Tacoma, 198,397; Vancouver, 161,791; and Bellevue, 122,363. Seattle grew by 8.0 percent since the 2000 Census. Spokane grew by 6.8 percent, Tacoma grew by 2.5 percent, Vancouver grew by 12.7 percent, and Bellevue grew by 11.7 percent.

The largest county is King, with a population of 1,931,249. Its population grew by 11.2 percent since 2000. The other counties in the top five include Pierce, with a population of 795,225 (increase of 13.5 percent); Snohomish, 713,335 (increase of 17.7 percent); Spokane, 471,221 (increase of 12.7 percent); and Clark, 425,363 (increase of 23.2 percent).

In December, the first release of 2010 Census data pegged Washington’s population as 6,724,540, an increase of 14.1 percent in 10 years.

The long-awaited data, collected every 10 years, will be the focus of intense analysis over the coming months. Already the state has been designated to receive a 10th seat in Congress as a result of the population growth.

Oregon numbers were also released.

Data for Oregon show that the five most populous incorporated places and their 2010 Census counts are Portland, 583,776; Eugene, 156,185; Salem, 154,637; Gresham, 105,594; and Hillsboro, 91,611. Portland grew by 10.3 percent since the 2000 Census. Eugene grew by 13.3 percent, Salem grew by 12.9 percent, Gresham grew by 17.1 percent, and Hillsboro grew by 30.5 percent.

The largest Oregon county is Multnomah, with a population of 735,334. Its population grew by 11.3 percent since 2000. The other counties in the top five include Washington, with a population of 529,710 (increase of 18.9 percent); Clackamas, 375,992 (increase of 11.1 percent); Lane, 351,715 (increase of 8.9 percent); and Marion, 315,335 (increase of 10.7 percent).

A full story will appear in Thursday’s print edition of The Columbian.