Blacks realize that their numbers will soon be overshadowed by Hispanic population gains.

In 1980, the county registered its first population gain in a century.

Indeed, according to 2000 census data, the age group with the biggest population gain, 18.3 percent, was those 75 or older.

In the two population model, one population gains at the expense of another.

The country's biggest population gains were in suburban areas.

Strong population gains have increased demand for housing, fueling construction activity.

The bureau predicts that the area will experience similar population gains through the next decade.

One focal question is whether the infrastructure is ready for a population gain of thousands.

That compares with a population gain of 11 percent and a 43 percent increase in total retail sales, the company said.

Add them up, and they probably account for Newark's population gain last year of 644 residents, after a loss of more than 7,000 since 1990.