Cedar Rapids metro still growing post-flood, new census data shows

UPDATE: The Cedar Rapids metro area continued to gain population during the year after the devastating June 2008 floods, according to newly released census data.

Population increased by 1,413 in the metro area, to 256,324, according to the census estimate released Monday. That was an increase of 0.6 percent, which retained Cedar Rapids' status as the 175th most populous U.S. metro.

The estimates were based on the population change from July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009. The Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Linn, Benton and Jones counties.

The record 2008 flooding on the Cedar River reached 14 percent of the city and dislocated 18,000 residents, according to the City of Cedar Rapids. More than 5,000 homes were damaged.

Many of the flood-impacted residents relocated to mobile homes furnished by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or to rented apartments and homes elsewhere in the metro area.

The new census estimates do not show the population change for the City of Cedar Rapids, but show that Linn County's overall population also increased by 0.7 percent.

Iowa City's growth rate ranked 36th nationwide.

While Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area had the largest population gain at 8,805, its percentage increase of 1.6 percent was below the 1.9 percent for the Iowa City metro area.

The Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of Johnson and Washington counties. Its overall population increased by 2,904, enough to nudge it up in the nationwide population rankings from 258th to 257th.

Iowa City Area Association of Realtors President Jeff Dill was not surprised.

“At the least, our job situation is holding steady and when you factor in the quality of life issues it's an easier decision for people to move to the Iowa City area,” Dill said.

While Iowa City area home prices are among the highest in the state, much of the growth was concentrated in the North Liberty area, where much of the new construction is in affordable price ranges, Dill said.