San Angelo passes 100,000 population mark

SAN ANGELO – In 2013, San Angelo’s population surpassed the 100,000 mark, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey results.

The Census Bureau reported a median age of 33 and a gender ratio of 96 male residents per 100 female residents. Sixteen percent of the population is younger than 18, and 15 percent is 65 or older.

The Tom Green County population increased to 116,914 from the 2010 census, when it reached the 100,000 mark. The county had a median age of 34 and a 49 percent male population.

“Surpassing the 100,000 mark tells us what we already know…employers are moving here because of San Angelo’s strategic geographic location and optimal business climate,” said Roland Peña, San Angelo director of economic development.

The climate is even more promising to large national retailers who require a baseline number of potential shoppers.

“The way business and industry prospects for locations is based on demographics, and you have reached a milestone,” said Aaron Cox, vice president of chamber relations with the Texas Chamber of Commerce and Texas Association of Business in Austin.

“This number has put us in a category in which developers and retailers look more closely than they did previously,” said Phil Neighbors, president of San Angelo Chamber of Commerce. “In addition, the sustained growth over the past three to four years is a positive indicator for prospective businesses and developers.”

The American Community Survey is conducted by the Census Bureau between standard ten-year censuses to provide estimated demographic figures. It targets geographic coverage but not individuals.