While lunching at the Smithsonian this afternoon, I noticed an abandoned newspaper over on the next table.  The USA Today headline read “Population change in states’ top urban areas.”  Curious about the contents of the article I grabbed the paper and started to read.

Among the charts and graphs (remember, I’m a charts and graphs guy) was something fascinating and revealing.  In the chart labeled “Fastest Growing Metro Areas (2000 to 2006) #1 was little ‘ol St. George, Utah (39.8%) and not far behind in sixth place was Provo (25.9%).  I guess that really wasn’t the fascinating part.  What was interesting was the next graph labeled “Fastest Growing Micro Areas (2000-2006).”  Micro, in this case, is short for Micropolitan.  #3, Heber, Utah coming in at a whopping 33.1%–no kidding!  And, running a close #9…Cedar City (20%).  Click HERE for USA Today article.

Ever since the Park Service announced those free bus tours were resuming (Click HERE) in our state’s National Forrest down in southern Utah…there’s little wonder why people are fleeing to Zion!