The U.S Census Bureau recently announced the list of urbanized areas and urban clusters, defined on the basis of the 2010 Census. Initial HRTPO staff review shows that the Virginia Beach Urbanized area population is 1,439,666, representing a 3.2% increase since the last year 2000 Census. An apparent change since the last Census is the designation of Williamsburg as an independent urbanized area with a population of 75,689. This newly designated Williamsburg urbanized area includes the City of Williamsburg, parts of James City County and York County. HRTPO staff will further review the data to determine any potential impacts on planning in the Hampton Roads region.
The official U.S Census Bureau announcement occurred via the Federal Register and the public notice is available at http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2012-06903_PI.pdf.
Additional information on the list of urbanized areas and clusters is also available at http://www.census.gov/geo/www/ua/2010urbanruralclass.html