Population numbers show minimal growth on Bainbridge Island

Published 1:01 pm Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The state’s Office of Financial Management has released its population estimates for Bainbridge Island, showing only minimal increases in population density over the past year.

OFM estimates that the city’s population increased by 110 people, a growth of less than one-half percent. That brings the estimated Bainbridge Island population size to 23,290.

To calculate the island’s population, OFM uses data gathered during the 2000 federal census.

Judging by 2000 census numbers there are roughly 2.52 individuals per average residence on the island.

Growth is adjusted based on the number of new housing units completed in the last year, said associate city planner Steve Morse, who liaises with OFM on housing growth.

The vacancy rate is adjusted using United State Postal Service numbers for mail delivery to each island address.

According to Morse, roughly 91.3 percent of all residences on the island are currently occupied.

Morse said that it is not likely that the upcoming 2010 federal census will show much disparity between OFM estimates.

“The differences are fairly minor, and (OFM) resets everything when the new census data comes out,” Morse said.

In 2000, the US census concluded Bainbridge Island had a population of 20,308 while OFM’s estimate for the same time was 20,150.

Of Washington’s 281 cities, Bainbridge is now 41st in population. In 2001, it was 39th in population size.

The 2009 population estimate pegs Washington state’s overall population at 6,668,200 as of April 1. This represents a growth of 80,600, or 1.2 percent, over the last year, of which most is concentrated in Western Washington.

OFM monitors city populations under the Growth Management Act.