Manhattan, Junction City among nation’s fastest growing cities

The Manhattan metro area was the 10th fastest growing metro area in the country between July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2012, with 2.8 percent population growth, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Junction City, which neighbors Fort Riley, was the nation’s second fastest growing micropolitan area in both percentage, 7.4 percent, and in numbers, with 2,604 more people. A micropolitan area contains a city with at least 10,000, but less than 50,000, people.

Geary County was also one of the fastest growing counties in the nation, with 7.4 percent growth.

The two cities are seeing rapid growth as the First Infantry Division has redeployed from overseas.