Island’s population up 11.3 percent since 2000 census.

From condos to commercial, new development has served as a consistent reminder of growth on the island.

Now, in the form of new population estimates, comes more tangible evidence.

The population of Bainbridge Island is up 11.3 percent over the past six years, according to estimates developed by the state Office of Financial Management and published this month by the Puget Sound Regional Council.

The study measures growth in 82 cities across the central Puget Sound region and shows a swell of nearly 2,300 people on Bainbridge since the 2000 census.

The growth on Bainbridge parallels trends elsewhere. This year’s influx of some 63,000 people into the central Puget Sound region – now home to an estimated 3.5 million people – is the area’s largest one-year population gain since the early 1990s, according to the document.

“The rise in population growth is largely due to the robust rebound in the region’s economy,” it says, citing new job opportunities as the primary reason behind the increase.

The PSRC is an association of cities, towns, counties, ports and state agencies that develops policies about growth and transportation in King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap counties.

Of the four Kitsap County cities cited in the report, Bainbridge Island saw the largest jump. Port Orchard and Poulsbo grew by eight and ten percent respectively. Bremerton’s population declined by 3.6 percent. In total, Kitsap County has seen 11,431 new residents, a gain of nearly five percent.