Renton is a lot bigger – 82 percent – than it was 10 years ago, mostly because of the annexation of Benson Hill, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau figures.

And the city’s population of 90,927 puts it on the list of the Washington’s 10 largest cities for the first time, at ninth place. The city’s population in 2000 was 50,052, ranking it as the state’s 14th largest city.
Renton is also a diverse city, mirroring a trend in cities throughout South King County. The diversity is apparent in the Renton School District, where 87 languages are spoken.

Renton’s Asian population is 19,298; only Bellevue and Seattle have a larger Asian population. The city’s Hispanic population is 11,947, followed by African American, 9,670.

About 54 percent of Renton’s population is white.

The Benson Hill annexation added about 16,300 people to the city on March 1, 2008. Also, said Mayor Denis Law, there have been “several years of fairly aggressive annexations.” In all during those 10 years, the city added about 23,000 new residents through annexations.

Infill within the city’s existing borders also adds to its population.

While some may like to say they’re the mayor of a city of 150,000 or 600,000, Law said “bigger isn’t necessarily better.”

“I would rather that we keep score beased on our ability to provide quality services for the least amount of money,” he said after the figures were released.
Law points out that just because the population nearly doubles, the same isn’t true for revenues.

The federal numbers don’t come as a surprise to city officials, who routinely track population figures. Such information is necessary, Law said, so officials know how many residents they must serve. Family situations also are changing, he said, pointing out how one residence may house more than one family.
The census numbers are important because some money Renton receives from the state or federal governments is based on population. For example, the state estimated Renton’s population on April 1, 2010, as 86,230, about 4,700 fewer than the federal number.

The federal census is based on population and household size as of April 1, 2010.

Already-released figures show that Washington state, with a population of 6,724,540, will get a 10th congressional seat. A redistricting commission will carve out that district, likely in the Puget Sound region. Renton would see a change in its congressional districts as a result.

On the state list, the final four cities are tightly grouped, with No. 7 Kent at 92,411 and No. 10 Spokane Valley at 89,755. Renton is just 140 people smaller than Yakima, which also grew because of annexations.