New Census Bureau Population Estimates Reveal Fasting Growing U.S. Cities and Counties

The U.S. Census Bureau today released  metropolitan statistical area, micropolitan statistical area and county population estimates revealing the fastest-growing cities and counties in the United States. Florida was home to the nation's fastest growing metro area from 2013 to 2014 and contained seven of the nation's top 50 numerically gaining metro areas between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014.

State population estimates released in December revealed that Florida had become the nation's third most populous state. Today's estimates show Florida's growth to reach this milestone was propelled by numerous metro areas and counties within the state. In addition, two additional states -- Texas (with 11) and California (with 10) -- had even more counties than Florida on the list of the top 50 numerical gainers.

With a population increase of 8.7 percent from July 1, 2013, to July 1, 2014, Williams, N.D., remained the nation's fastest-growing county (among counties with populations of 10,000 or more in 2013), although its growth slowed from the previous one-year period. Following Williams on the list were Stark, N.D. (7.0 percent), whose growth accelerated from the previous year; Sumter, Fla. (5.4 percent); Pickens, Ala. (5.1 percent); and Hays, Texas (4.8 percent).

Other findings and highlights:

Counties

• Los Angeles, Calif., is still the nation's most populous county with a July 1, 2014, population surpassing 10.1 million.
• Between 2013 and 2014, North Carolina became the ninth-most populous state (up from 10th). Its growth was fueled by two counties that were among the 50 top numerical gainers: Wake (Raleigh), which added about 24,000 people over the period, and Mecklenburg (Charlotte), which grew by about 20,000.

Metro areas

• The Carolinas were home to four of the nation's 20 fastest-growing metro areas between 2013 and 2014: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, S.C.-N.C. (second); Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, S.C. (13th); Raleigh, N.C. (15th); and Charleston-North Charleston, S.C. (17th).
• The nation's metro areas contained about 272.7 million people in 2014, an increase of about 2.4 million from 2013.
• Bismarck, N.D., was the fastest-growing metro area outside of the South or West between 2013 and 2014 (22nd overall).