Choppy growth for downtown L.A.

But growth nonetheless, according to a new demographic study prepared by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District - and based on online surveys conducted in March and April. Population in 2011 is 45,518, up 15.1 percent from the last time the survey was done in the fourth quarter of 2008. (It would have been nice to have annual numbers because the three-year gap can't account for all the recession-related ups and downs). Home ownership fell to 41 percent from 47 percent in 2008, the likely result of a weak economy. Median household income was $86,300 in 2011, down from $89.900 in 2008, though well above the citywide median. Downtown residents have lived in their current location for 1.7 years, compared with the 2.3 years in 2008. Median age is 36, as it was three years ago, and six out of 10 respondents are female, also unchanged (what's that about?). Plus, more respondents shop at Trader Joe's than Ralphs. Here's the full report.