Where Are the 49% Going to Live?

The Census Bureau recently released their estimated population projections for 2050. Overall, the country’s population is expected to continue to grow, increasing from 282.1 million in 2000 (and 300 million in 2006) to 419.9 million in 2050. The nation’s projected 49 percent population increase during the next 50 years would be in sharp contrast to most European countries, whose populations are expected to decline by mid-century.

My question: Where are all these people going to live?

The total U.S. population crossed the 100 million mark around 1915, the 200 million mark in 1967 (52 years later), and the 300 million mark in Oct 17, 2006 (39 years later) The U.S. population more than tripled during the 20th century – a growth rate of about 1.3 percent a year – from about 76 million in 1900 to 281 million in 2000. I agree with all the folks who are concerned about urban sprawl.

This is going to be a huge problem – not so much for cities like Chicago but for all the poorly designed outying areas. Imagine the amount of highway infrastructure (and tax dollars) that will be needed to create 4 and 6 lane highways in the outlying areas to allow people to get around.  Look at Business 2.0′s article about Megapolitan areas which tries to see which megapolian areas will benefit from urban sprawl. I think the total cost on all of America will be quite high as we try to provide for more than 419 million people.