Tulsa is 42nd largest city, Oklahoma City 29th

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Tulsa moved up to the 42nd spot on the list of the nation's largest cities after the latest census, while Oklahoma City is still holding at 29. <br><br>The population of Oklahoma's

Saturday, March 31st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Tulsa moved up to the 42nd spot on the list of the nation's largest cities after the latest census, while Oklahoma City is still holding at 29.

The population of Oklahoma's second largest city increased 7 percent to 393,049 during a decade. Tulsa is about 3,300 residents behind Mesa, Ariz., and 3,000 ahead of Omaha, Neb.

Oklahoma City grew 13.8 percent, to 506,132, from 1990 to 2000. The city is 23,000 residents behind Portland, Ore., and almost 20,000 ahead of Tucson, Ariz.

The final numbers needed to allow states to redraw legislative boundaries were released this week. The numbers for California, the last totals released, were delivered late Thursday. Oklahoma's numbers came in March 12.

The information will allow lawmakers across the county to begin the redistricting process, divvying up legislative districts.

Cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, San Antonio and Buffalo, N.Y. are challenging the numbers, claiming they have more people than reported in the April 1, 2000, tally of the Census Bureau.

Officials in McAlester and Okmulgee are also planning challenges, they told the Tulsa World.

Challenges cannot be filed until July, when census figures are placed in the Federal Register.

The top five largest cities were the same in 2000 as they were in 1990 _ New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Philadelphia.

Phoenix was No. 6, with a population increase of 34.3 percent.

Las Vegas reported the largest growth among the largest cities with 85.2 percent, from 258,295 to 478,434.

Three of the largest 10 cities are in Texas, while four of the largest 15 cities are in California.

Portland, Ore., passed Oklahoma City, from 30th to 28th place.

Cities smaller than Tulsa include Mineapolis, Honolulu, Miami, Fla., St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.