The U.S. Census Bureau has released its latest population estimates.

As of July 1, 2007, the city of Gilmer had an estimated population of 5,208, up 8.5 percent from the 2000 census figure of 4,799. It had purportedly gained 119 residents since the July 1, 2006 estimate.

It is not clear whether the Census Bureau took into account the fact that the city has lost territory since 2000 because of deannexation.

Latest estimate for Upshur County indicates a population of 37,924. The 2000 census count was 35,291. The county has grown 7.5 percent during the decade so far.

Big Sandy had an estimated population of 1,346, up from 1,288 in 2000.

Ore City's estimated count of 1,175 was up from 1,106 in 2000.

East Mountain's 622 estimate was up from the 2000 census count of 580.

Gladewater's 6,289 estimate was up from 6,078 in 2000.

Longview's population estimate is 76,816, up from 75,844 in 2006 and from 73,344 in 2000.

Tyler is growing more rapidly, with its latest estimate of 96,451, up from 94,418 in 2006 and 83,650 in 2000.

The Longview MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) consisting of Gregg, Rusk and Upshur counties, had an estimated population of 203,611 on July 1, 2007, up from 201,731 in 2006 and 194,042 in 2000.

Latest estimate for Tyler MSA (Smith County) is 198,705, up from 194,798 in 2006 and 174,706 in 2000.

The Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University also released information this week that the Longview MSA ranks second among MSAs in the state in job growth.

In its June 2008 Monthly Review of the Texas Economy, the center said that between May 2007 and May 2008, job growth in the Longview MSA was 3.3 percent, compared to the statewide average of 2.4 percent. The national job growth rate was 0.1 percent.

The top five MSAs for job growth include:

1. Odessa, 3.7 percent

2. Longview, 3.3 percent

3. Midland, 3.1 percent

4. Laredo, 2.7 percent

5. College Station/Bryan, 2.7 percent