Arlington, Alexandria to challenge census numbers

Arlington and Alexandria are expected to challenge national census numbers released this week that found the county and city are among the country’s fastest shrinking in their respective categories, officials said.

Census figures from the beginning of 2004 to the beginning of 2005 show that Arlington lost almost 2,000 people, or 1 percent of its population, bringing its total population to about 195,000 people. Alexandria lost more than 1,250 people, a bit less than 1 percent, leaving it with 135,000 people, according to the federal numbers.