Virginia population boom surrounds Charlottesville [January 29]

Virginia’s population reached 7.7 million people on July 1, making the state the 12th largest in the nation, according to figures released by UVA’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. Although it’s an increase of more than 633,000 people since the 2000 U.S. census, the rate of growth has actually dropped in recent years, reports the Associated Press, with the city of Charlottesville seeing the least amount, as it jumped from 40,099 residents in 2000 to 41,274 in 2007, an increase of only 2.9 percent. Meanwhile, the surrounding area boomed, with Fluvanna, Orange and Louisa counties realizing the highest jumps in population.