Census Data: Alpharetta is 6th fastest growing city in US | News

ATLANTA (AP) - A new estimate shows a North Georgia city is among the fastest growing in the country.

The estimate released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau shows Alpharetta had the sixth-highest rate of growth among U.S. cities with populations of at least 50,000 people.

The city had an estimated population growth rate of 4.37 percent during the one-year period starting July 1, 2011. By comparison, the entire state as a whole had a population growth rate of just over 1 percent.

Analysts cautioned against drawing too many conclusions from a year-to-year population estimate.

Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle said he was grateful for the results. He said the city has worked hard to invigorate its downtown and attract technology companies.