Two Virginia cities that have suffered years of population decline are growing again, according to estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Roanoke had an estimated population of 92,600 in July of 2007, up 229 from the previous year. Richmond’s population hit 200,123,
up 1,499.

The 2007 numbers for Richmond marked the third consecutive year that the population rose, according to the Census Bureau.
Several other major cities continued growth spurts: Alexandria, 140,024, up 1,787; Chesapeake, 219,154, up 516; Lynchburg, 71,282, up 1,277; and Suffolk, 81,332, up 1,067.

Other major cities declined: Hampton, 146,439, down 129; Newport News, 179,153, down 1,106; Norfolk, 235,747, down 3,085; Portsmouth, 101,967, down 759; and Virginia Beach, 434,743, down 3,031.