Increasing population density may go hand in hand with population growth. Population density is one way to measure where growth occurs. "Smart Growth" is a term associated with how communities and municipalities manage growth in and outside of urban areas. Governmental comprehensive plans, environmental groups and sometimes economic development agencies call for varying levels of population density. Smart Growth goals aim to reduce the negative impacts of suburban sprawl, establish walkable communities and enhance certain types of economic activity. Generally, Smart Growth proponents favor higher population density in urban areas and lower population density in surrounding areas.
In urban settings, minimum population density requirements must be met to financially support urban services such as public transit, grocery stores, and other commercial amenities. However, without complementary land use planning, minimum population density goals will not guarantee healthy growth.
This indicator measures the average number of people living within each square mile, better known as the population density, of the cities of Anacortes, Burlington, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley. The statistic is figured by taking the number of people living within the city limits divided by the area (in square miles) of the city - according to the boundaries of the municipality.
