Austin slows down

Enjoy the final days of SXSW. I'll see you on Monday.

Austin is no longer #1

We are no longer America's fastest growing metro area. From the city demographer's office:

Breaking a 12-year streak as the fastest growing large metro area in the country, Austin and its surrounding communities slipped into second place between 2022 and 2023, according to new estimates released by the United States Census Bureau. The Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) added more than 50,000 residents between 2022 and 2023, growing at a rate of 2.1 percent. Per the new data, which was released on Thursday, the Austin MSA is the 26th most populous metro area in the country and saw the seventh-largest numeric increase in population between 2022 and 2023.

Large metro = more than a million.

Apparently #1 is Jacksonville, which grew at 2.2%. Behind Austin were Orlando, Raleigh and DFW.

I don't have a "take" on this. The Austin MSA is still growing at slightly more than double the national rate for large metro areas, so there's no reason yet to panic or rejoice, depending on your views. Of greater interest to me is the share of the metro area's growth that is occurring in city limits. In recent years, the city has accounted for a steadily declining share of population and housing growth; I hope to see this reverse.

Bikers lose a battle

Bike advocates are fuming about the city's plan to eliminate a protected bike lane that for the past three years has been part of the Shoal Creek Trail. It's a rare instance in recent years of the city backtracking on bike infrastructure in response to complaints from neighbors. Hopefully, despite Interim City Manager Jesus Garza's well-known indifference to active mobility, it won't become a trend.