North Dakota's major cities are growing, as are the communities around them.
New census figures show Fargo with 93,531 people last year, up from 92,513 in 2007. Bismarck followed with 60,389 people, up from 59,483 in 2007.
Grand Forks reported 51,313 people in 2008 and Minot reported 35,419, both up slightly from the previous year.
State Data Center Director Richard Rathge says the big trend is the suburban growth. He says the community of Lincoln, outside Bismarck went from about 1,700 people in 2000 to about 2,700 people last year and Harwood, near Fargo, has added 100 people since 2000.
In the western part of the state, Dickinson's 2008 population is estimated at 16,035, up from 15,894 in 2007. Williston is estimated at 12,641, up from 12,418.
Rathge says the full impact of energy development has not yet shown. He says that by 2010, ``we'll really see some growth in most of the western cities.''
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
