(May 10, 2002) -- The CA state agency that provides annual, updated population estimates for all CA cities says LB's population as of January 1, 2002 to 473,100.

The data, contained in the CA Dept. of Finance, Demographic Research Unit's Report E-1 indicates LB remains CA's fifth largest city:

As of Jan. 1, 2002, Los Angeles County's population was 9,824,800 (+1.8%). Orange County had 2,939,500 (+2.1%) and CA had a statewide population of 35,037,000

LB's new population figure is a double-edged sword. Population growth can bring new economic activity and city revenue, although this is dependent to a large extent on the income level of the growth.

However, increased population also strains LB city service levels. (City Hall's now discredited "crackerbox" development policies of the 1980's invited growth but failed to provide taxpayers with increased services to match.

In terms of LB's already thin per capita levels of police and park land, LB's 473,100 population means police and park land per capita are lower than City Hall has previously assumed.

LB's current per capita sworn police strength (actual: roughly 882 officers, Council budgeted: 913.5) amounts to only 1.86 officers per 1,000 residents (actual), roughly 1.93 officers per 1,000 residents (Council budgeted)

Moreover, LB's updated population figure from the CA Dept. of Finance does not include an adjustment for an estimated 2000 census undercount. Previous figures from that agency did, but after it was definitively determined that the U.S. Dept. of Commerce would not adjust federal figures to reflect an estimated undercount, CA adopted the same policy for consistency.

That means LB's actual population may arguably be higher than 473,100. LB City Hall has previously argued that LB's 2000 census figure (which CA uses as the base for annual updates) should be adjusted to reflect an undercount.