How many people are living in Minot?
New census estimates released this week peg the Minot region as the eighth-fastest growing micropolitan area in the country. The Williston area is first, with the Dickinson area sitting in fourth place.
According to the study, the Minot micropolitan area, which includes Ward, Renville and McHenry counties, gained 2,527 residents from April 1, 2010, to July 1, 2011. We don't doubt that one bit, but certainly the Minot area continues to grow in population since July 2011, despite the Souris River flood.
City officials are estimating that Minot is approaching the 50,000 population level, if not already past that mark. Judging by traffic, building permits, occupancy rates and other figures, a population of 50,000 in Minot doesn't seem like much of a stretch. Streets are busy all hours of the day, restaurants and other stores are full of customers and hotels are nearly always full. It's also certainly no surprise that the Williston area is among the fastest-growing spots in the country. Mayor Ward Koeser estimates that the city has a population of 20,000.
How long will the boom last and how long will the area's population continue to grow depends on who you ask. But expect it to continue for the foreseeable future.