Dade's population is revised up

On second thought, Miami-Dade County's population is bigger than originally estimated.

That's the conclusion of the U.S. Census Bureau, which revisited its 2008 population estimate following a challenge by the county's Planning & Zoning Department.

Now the number of people living in the county is pegged at 2,478,745, rather than the 2,398,245 originally estimated by the federal census agency. ``We thought the numbers were way too low in the original estimate,'' said Bob Schwarzreich, supervisor of the county's demographics unit. ``We're glad the census bureau agreed.''

The boost -- amounting to 80,500 more people -- could mean more money for Miami-Dade next year.

Florida lost population this year for the first time since World War II, according to a study by the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research. But Miami-Dade's population has continued to grow, census estimates show. In 2007 the number of people in the county was estimated at 2,382,961 -- 95,784 fewer than now supposed in the revised 2008 census figure.

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Dade's population is revised up - Miami Herald - December 12, 2009