Raleigh has once again made it to the top of several top 10 lists, reminding us of what a dynamic and exciting city Raleigh is, and how blessed we are to live and minister here. It also convicts us of the need to reach this growing and diverse community with the Gospel.
For example, according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, the Raleigh metro area ranks 2nd just behind Las Vegas in terms of overall population growth. Based on data compiled in the 2010 Census, Raleigh experienced a whopping 41.8% increase in population from 2000-2010 and now has over 1.1 million residents.
Also interesting is a recent article on Forbes.com that ranks Raleigh # 2 in the list of “Next Big Boom Towns.” According to Forbes, #1 Austin and #2 Raleigh “have it all demographically: high rates of immigration and migration of educated workers and healthy increases in population and number of children. They are also economic superstars, with job-creation records among the best in the nation.”
One major factor driving the growth in the Raleigh area is the significant influx of immigrants. According to a report from the Brookings Institute, Raleigh is considered a “pre-emerging gateway” for immigrants. For example the foreign-born population of the Raleigh-Durham area has increased over 709% over the last two decades.
These and many other articles and statistics remind us that Raleigh is an incredibly fast-growing and increasingly diverse community. If you spend any time living, working and visiting this area those facts become all the more clear. At Imago Dei we are both excited and humbled to plant a church in this growing and diverse city, and we are challenged and convicted to reach Raleigh and the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
