There’s an old slogan from a rental car company that goes “We’re Number Two. We Try Harder.” which may be appropriate for Burien, since a new report released by the Washington State Office of Financial Management says that B-Town was the second-fastest growing city in the state last year, losing only to Kent.

The growth of course can be attributed to Burien’s annexation of the southern North Highline area, which increased population by 14,347 to a total of 47,660, making it the state’s 21st-largest city, just above Olympia (take that, Geoducks!).

Kent’s growth is also due to an annexation, which added approximately 24,000 new residents on July 1, 2010.

Here’s the top 10 as listed in the report:

1. Kent: grew 25,789 to 118,200
2. Burien: grew 14,347 to 47,660
3. Seattle: grew 3,440 to 612,100
4. Renton: grew 1,663 to 92,590
5. Pasco: grew 1,219 to 61,000
6. Sammamish: grew 1,160 to 46,940
7. Bremerton: grew 1,061 to 38,790
8. Bellevue: grew 1,037 to 123,400
9. Richland: grew 1,032 to 49,090
10. Redmond: grew 1,006 to 55,150

If Burien moves forward and annexes the rest of North Highline/White Center (aka “Area Y”), that would add over 19,300 new residents (according to a City of Seattle PDF study); so maybe we have a chance to be #1 soon?

Here’s more from the OFM website:

Washington state’s population continues to grow, but at a slower rate. The 2011 population estimate prepared by the Office of Financial Management (OFM) places Washington’s population at 6,767,900 as of April 1, 2011. This represents an increase of 43,360, or a growth rate of just 0.64 percent from the state’s official 2010 census count.

This unexpected slowdown in population growth is due to the slower than expected economic recovery, which affects two components of population change: natural increase (the number of births minus deaths) and migration.

The total number of births in Washington declined from 88,200 last year to 84,800 this year. With the second “echo” of baby boomers reaching childbearing age, births had been steadily increasing from 81,800 in 2005 to 89,800 in 2009. This upward trend would likely have continued if not for the recession and the slow pace of economic recovery.

Migration to Washington, largely driven by economic opportunity, is a major component of the state’s growth. This year’s net migration is estimated at 6,600, the lowest level in more than two decades. Worker mobility remains low nationwide because of difficulties with both selling homes and finding work. Part of the overall decrease in migration is due to a decline in international migration.

State population and migration continue to slow in 2011

Statewide, 57 percent of population growth between 2010 and 2011 took place in the Puget Sound region counties of King (11,400), Kitsap (2,800), Pierce (6,900) and Snohomish (3,700).

Four of the five counties experiencing the highest percentage of population growth are located in Eastern Washington. Franklin County gained nearly 3 percent after a decade of strong growth. Benton County grew 1.6 percent and Adams County grew 1.2 percent. Kitsap and Grant counties each had a growth rate of 1.1 percent. Consequently, the total percentage growth for Eastern Washington is at 0.70 percent, which is slightly higher than the 0.63 percent growth rate for the western portion of the state.

The population of Washington’s cities and towns totaled 4,313,267 on April 1, 2011, a growth of 67,050 people since the federal census count. Nine of the top 10 cities with the largest numeric population growth are located in King County or the Tri-City area. In order of descending rank, they are Kent, Burien, Seattle, Renton, Pasco, Sammamish, Bremerton, Bellevue, Richland and Redmond. Sixty-two percent of the population growth in incorporated areas is due to annexation activity. A substantial portion of the growth in Kent, Burien and Sammamish in King County can be attributed to annexations which occurred this year.

Slow population growth affects new housing construction. The state added 18,200 new units this year, in contrast to 28,200 units during the same time period last year. This is the lowest amount of housing growth in two decades. King County has added 6,100 housing units, approximately one-third of the state total.

Recently-released census figures show that Burien’s current, total population is “unofficially” now at 47,605, up from the previously-announced estimate of ~46,000.

As we’ve previously reported, this makes Burien the state’s 21st largest city, just above Olympia (2010 population: 45,500), and below Richland (2010 population: 48,580) and Kirkland (48,580).

One interesting anecdote to the revised numbers shows that the number of minorities in Burien (not including the annexation area) grew 57.8% between 2000 and 2010, and currently make up 38.5% of the population. Hispanics or Latinos are Burien’s largest minority group, making up 20.7% of the City’s population, according to the city’s newsletter.

Here’s the city’s full announcement:

Census Shows Burien’s Growth
The recently released census figures that show Burien’s 2010 population at 33,313, an increase of 1,432 residents over the 2000 census. but the figures do not include the City’s new North Highline residents.

A separate census of the annexation area conducted by the City showed a population of 14,292, unofficially bringing the City’s total population to 47,605.

The federal census found the number of minorities in Burien (not including the annexation area) grew 57.8 percent between 2000 and 2010 and currently make up 38.5 percent of the population.

Hispanics or Latinos are Burien’s largest minority group, making up 20.7 percent of the City’s population.

by Ralph Nichols

Signs around town declare it in several languages. But at last week’s meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, Burien City Manager Mike Martin kept the greeting simple.

“Welcome,” Martin said to the new residents of North Burien. Until that morning (April 1), their address had been in unincorporated King County. “We’re just thrilled” this has finally happened.

Noting the first steps toward annexation were taken “years and years before I got here,” he said the successful annexation of North Burien “is due in large part to the work of [the unincorporated area council].”

“It was a struggle, but when we got down to the actual annexation, it went just as it should,” including a “real solid vote” last August for annexation by Burien. “This is good public policy.”

One of three billboards welcoming residents to Burien.

And the city’s census of North Burien residents and businesses is revealing something unexpected, he reported.

“We expected around 14,000 new residents … it looks now like it will be more than 16,000 … so that would be close to 50,000 residents” in the enlarged city.

Martin also thanked North Highline residents who live in the remaining unincorporated area “for your expression of interest in Burien.

He noted there is “still active, enthusiastic interest” on the part of several Burien City Council members in an eventual annexation of that area, which remains a future option for these residents.

But, Martin added, the city “wants to make this annexation a success first.”

North Burien has already been included in the city’s planning process, he continued, including discussions for an ongoing program of maintaining city streets with routine asphalt overlays. Code enforcement will increase gradually with consideration for what has been allowed here in the past.

The city is also working with the King County Sheriff’s Office “to have a physical presence” in North Burien. This will probably include police staffing, parks and recreation information and permit processing via teleconnection with city hall at the existing sheriff’s storefront office in Boulevard Park.

“We’re hoping for something more central, but this is fine for now,” Martin said.

by Ralph Nichols

The effective date for annexation is now all but official. At their next meeting on Nov. 23, Burien council members are expected to approve March 2 as the day that some 14,100 residents of the North Highline unincorporated area become residents of the city.

With the annexation of the southern part of North Highline, Burien will become the 21st largest city in Washington – just above Olympia – with a population of about 45,000. Currently the city ranks 31st in the state.

Burien City Manager Mike Martin recommended to the council members on Monday (Nov. 9) that March 2 be set as the effective date, the timing of which will allow the city to get the maximum amount of road tax revenue from King County.

“It’s finally before you,” Martin told the city council. “We’ve been waiting for this moment until the outcome of (Initiative) 1033 was known.

I-1033, which was soundly defeated in the Nov. 3 general election, would have established a baseline for spending by all levels of government in Washington and restricted how much new revenue they could spend each year.

On March 2, 2010, Burien will become the 21st largest city in Washington, surpassing Olympia.

Both Martin and council members had suggested that if I-1033 were to pass, its impact could delay the annexation process by Burien.

There was no detailed discussion of the annexation process at Monday’s meeting. However, some lawmakers did have questions about its impact on the city’s 2010 budget during a public hearing and review of adjustments to the city’s biennial budget and yearly property tax levy.

Almost 59 percent of North Highline voters approved annexation to Burien in the Aug. 18 primary election.

“The North Highline (Unincorporated Area) Council represents the people of North Highline and we are very happy to see annexation take place,” said Greg Duff, president of the council. “This is something that the people of North Highline have been hoping for for a long time.”

The annexation area extends north from South/Southwest 128th Street to a line that zigzags west to east along Southwest 112th Street in north Shorewood, South 116th Street, South 112th Street, and South 107th Street in Boulevard Park, ending at Tukwila. Much of Beverly Park and Boulevard Park, including the Rainier Golf and Country Club, will be absorbed by Burien.

Left in the remaining unincorporated area between the new Burien city limits and Seattle will be the North Highline fire station, Evergreen High School and Pool, and the Top Hat neighborhood.

Emphasizing the fact that he was speaking for himself only, and not for the council, Duff added, “Personally, I hope to see the rest of the area annexed eventually into Burien.”

If you’ve not yet voted and mailed your ballot, remember, tomorrow – Tuesday, August 18, primary election day – is the deadline to do so. And if you live in the southern part of the North Highline unincorporated area, voting in King County’s first all mail-in election carries added significance. Your vote will help decide whether this area becomes part of the city of Burien.

If a majority of these voters says yes to annexation, Burien’s population will increase by some 14,100 residents with the addition of an area from South/Southwest 128th Street north to a zigzag line that extends west to east along Southwest 112th Street in north Shorewood, South 116th Street, South 112th Street, and South 107th Street in Boulevard Park, ending at Tukwila.

Much of Beverly Park and Boulevard Park, including the Rainier Golf and Country Club, will be absorbed by Burien. Left in the remaining unincorporated area between Burien and Seattle will be the North Highline fire station, Evergreen High School and Pool, and the Top Hat neighborhood.

And if annexation is approved – growing Burien by 44% and making it the 21st largest city in Washington with a population of approximately 45,900 (surpassing Olympia in population) – what happens next?

If Burien's annexation of the North Highline area passes, it will catapult from #31 to #21 in city size, surpassing the population of Olympia.

The first public action will be a special City Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m., “to discuss the path forward, to determine how in general to do this whole thing,” says Burien City Manager Mike Martin. “In the next few weeks we will be hiring staff and taking inventories of capital needs (in the unincorporated area). We will need to start figuring out planning and zoning issues up there.”

At that council meeting, “we will bring a resolution to modify the municipal code so North Highline residents in the new annexation area can serve on city advisory boards and commissions now” – through the regular appointment process as positions become open. “This is kind of a big deal,” Martin says. “It will give folks in that area a direct say in advising the city council.”

He adds, “We want (the annexation process) to be seamless.” That is “the overarching theme … we don’t want people to be jolted by this, either the new residents or existing city residents.”

Another initial step, says Mayor Joan McGilton, is a citywide “visioning project. We need to ask those residents and existing residents what the new 45,000 population city should look like.”

“Even if annexation is approved on Tuesday, this area of North Highline will not become part of Burien on Wednesday,” Martin notes emphatically. The process of bringing the unincorporated area into the city will take several months, with annexation becoming official sometime in late winter at the earliest.

City staff already “has taken a cursory look at a lot of these things. We’re not operating in the dark,” he says. “But not a lot will be involved until voters say yes. We wouldn’t want to have spent a lot of time if voters told us they didn’t want to become part of Burien.”

The city’s primary focus on bringing the annexed area into Burien will be planning and zoning, streets and storm drains, and code enforcement, as well as adding staff to work on these matters. In addition, Burien, which adopted a two-year budget for the first time this year, will need to modify it for 2010 to allow for both increased revenue and spending.

The city’s contract with the King County Sheriff’s Office will be modified to hire more deputies as city police officers, many of whom already work in North Highline. All special districts – fire, water, sewer, library, and Highline schools – will continue to provide services in the newly annexed area without interruption or change.

And when the annexed area finally is inside the city, what then? Will Burien consider annexing the remaining North Highline unincorporated area between its new northern city limit and Seattle?

There is, says McGilton, “definite interest on the part of four current council members … to aggressively look at that. Two council members say the city has done as much as it needs to do. My personal preference (if the current annexation proposal is approved) is to settle in and then look at it. I’m a phase one, phase two person … if this is a success, then than will give us credibility to move on north.”

State law requires a simple majority vote of residents in an area designated for annexation before the merger can take effect. Residents of the annexing city do not vote on the question.