Riverside County 10th largest in nation

Riverside County is now the 10th largest in the country. It’s a distinction county leaders hope will lead to more prosperity.

“We are really taking our place among the major urban counties in America,” said Supervisor Chairman Chuck Washington.

Riverside County is the ninth fastest growing country, a population boon that put it ahead of New York’s Queens County in the coveted top 10 of most populous in the nation.

“It brings with it some strength, to bring more resources back to Riverside County from D.C. and Sacramento, we are to be reckoned with,” said Supervisor Marion Ashley.

Supervisors marked the miles by sending a sampling of the county’s bounty to a charity of the now 11th ranked Queens County’s choice.

Census numbers show the reason for the county’s growth is people moving inland from the coast for cheaper housing and jobs, a growth Riverside County wants to continue.

“We want to make sure as we move forward we not overly congest our highways, to build in advance of development, to have the stock there, but also have the parks and the infrastructure ready or very close to starting when the housing starts,” said Supervisor John Benoit.

The county is already undertaking projects to prepare for continued growth, the Jefferson I-10 interchange and the new Indio jail. Both projects are set for completion in the next two years.

More people in Riverside County means a bigger need for water, especially in the desert. It’s a scenario Desert Water Agency has been planning for.

“As far as the population growing so much that we run out of water, that is exactly what water management is for. That’s why we do these plans to make sure we never run out of water,” said Desert Water Agency spokeswoman Katie Ruark.

Benoit says future housing tracks will be built with water conservation in mind.

“It’s a two-edged sword, it means you’ve got to be ready, but it also brings opportunity,” said Benoit.

Continued growth in the county puts more pressure on finding a solution to the dying Salton Sea.

“That sea could be a huge asset or a horrible burden. I want to do everything I can to make sure it’s an asset. I think we have some relatively strong ideas to help us get there,” said Benoit.

Benoit believes the top 10 ranking will certainly help pave the way, “We are in a very good position to continue growth in a very responsible way.”

Full Rankings

US Census 2014 population estimate

1. Los Angeles County, California 10,116,705
2. Cook County, Illinois 5,246,456
3. Harris County, Texas 4,441,370
4. Maricopa County, Arizona 4,087,191
5. San Diego County, California 3,263,431
6. Orange County, California 3,145,515
7. Miami-Dade County, Florida 2,662,874
8. Kings County, New York 2,621,793
9. Dallas County, Texas 2,518,638
10.Riverside County, California 2,329,271
11. Queens County, New York 2,321,580

The 10 Counties with the Largest Numeric Increase from July 1, 2013, to July 1, 2014
1. Harris, Texas (Houston) 89,000
2. Maricopa, Ariz. (Phoenix) 74,000
3. Los Angeles, Calif. 63,000
4. San Diego, Calif. 41,000
5. Clark, Nev. (Las Vegas) 40,000
6. Bexar, Texas (San Antonio) 34,000
7. King, Wash. (Seattle) 33,000
8. Dallas, Texas 33,000
9. Riverside, Calif. 32,000
10. Tarrant, Texas (Fort Worth) 31,000