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Plainfield 5th Fastest Growing in U.S.
August 2, 2007
by Janet Lundquist
Herald News - staff writer
Not only is Plainfield one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the state, it`s also among the top nationwide, according to Forbes.com. The site last month released an article ranking the top 100 fastest growing suburbs in the country, based on U.S. Census Bureau growth estimates. Plainfield, the only Midwest town in the top 10, was ranked 5th.
Suburban towns without significant social and economic ties to a big city were excluded from the analysis. Cities, townships and villages with populations higher than 10,000 in 2000 were included. According to Forbes` list, Plainfield`s population swelled from 13,666 in 2000 to 31,968 in 2006, an increase of 133.9 percent. And the population is likely even larger now. Plainfield officials are gearing up for a special census this fall, which they expect will show a population of about 33,700.
A 2005 special census showed the villages`s population grew by nearly 10,000 in two years, from 20,673 to 30,314. Even so, Plainfield still isn`t on the tip of everyone`s tongue. "A lot of times when we talk to people, it`s still,`Where`s is Plainfield?`" said Jim Testin, Plainfield`s community development director. But articles like the Forbes.com analysis raise the village`s profile among developers and companies, he said.
Plainfield`s population boom has drawn inquires from the health care, retail and corporate office sectors, said Alex Harris, executive director of the Plainfield Economic Partnership. A reputation for surging population has its advantages. "We do see that fast-growing moniker is one of the reasons why so many of these business sectors are investing in the village of Plainfield." Harris said.
Several other area towns made the top 50. Oswego, which jumped from a population of 13,814 in 2000 to 26,252 in 2006, in ranked 14th. Romeoville is ranked 29th, Frankfort in 26th, Lockoprt in 41st and Crest Hill is 44th. The only other Illinois town on the list is North Aurora in Kane County ranked 87th. |
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