While the Register notes that Dallas County ranked number 10 in population growth from mid-2003 to mid-2004 the actual numbers are less staggering:
Dallas County’s population rose from 46,519 in July 2003 to 49,591 in July 2004, according to census estimates. That’s an increase of more than 3,000 new residents in just a year.
That’s it? Only 3,000? Number 3 on the census list, Loudoun County, VA, grew by 18,000 people during that same period. That’s 6 times more people than Dallas County. And Loudoun County’s growth is on top of an existing population of 220,000 people.
When showing percent numbers in statistics you always need to show both the percent and the original numbers the percent is based on. That provides the clearest picture of what is really happening. Don’t just report on growth numbers. Remember a population of 1 that grows to 2 shows 100% growth – sounds big but it’s only 1 person.
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