The U.S. annual population growth recently hit its lowest level in 80 years. Even with the recent slowdown, the U.S. population has been growing steadily for years. There are nearly 18.5 million more people living in the United States today than there were in 2010 — a 6.0% increase.
Despite the slowing population growth on a national level, there are areas across the country that are growing rapidly. Even states with modest or negative population growth have at least one county home to more people now than in 2010. Here is a list of the fastest growing (and shrinking) states.
Reviewing population change figures from the U.S. Census Bureau from April 2010 through July 2018, 24/7 Wall St. identified the fastest growing county in each state. County equivalents like parishes and boroughs were also considered.
Natural growth — births minus deaths — is the largest source of population growth for the United States as a whole. Immigration from other countries accounts for the rest of the growth. In the counties on this list, however, most of the population growth is due to people moving in at a much faster rate than leaving.
In nearly every county on this list, the vast majority of residents live in urban areas. According to United Nations projections, some 87.4% of Americans will live in an urban area in 2050 compared to about 82% today. Americans may choose to relocate to an urban area for more job opportunities, walkability, access to services, shopping, entertainment, and other amenities.
Urban areas also tend to offer a greater concentration job and career opportunities — and many counties on this list have a particularly strong labor market. The vast majority of these counties have a lower unemployment rate than the state as a whole. Here is a list of the cities adding the most jobs in every state.
Click here to see the fastest growing county in every state
To identify the fastest growing county in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the eight-year population estimate change from the U.S Census Bureau’s Annual Estimates of the Resident Population from April 2010-July 2018. Only counties with a base population (from April 2010) greater than 10,000 were considered.
1. Alabama: Baldwin County
> Largest place in county: Daphne
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +19.6% (182,264 to 218,022)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Alabama: +2.3% (4.8 million to 4.9 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +33,655
> 2018 unemployment: 3.6% (state: 3.9%)
See all stories featuring: Alabama
[in-text-ad]
2. Alaska: Matanuska-Susitna Borough
> Largest place in county: Knik-Fairview
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +20.9% (88,992 to 107,610)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Alaska: +3.8% (710,249 to 737,438)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +11,350
> 2018 unemployment: 7.6% (state: 6.6%)
See all stories featuring: Alaska
3. Arizona: Pinal County
> Largest place in county: Casa Grande
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +19.0% (375,768 to 447,138)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Arizona: +12.2% (6.4 million to 7.2 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +55,586
> 2018 unemployment: 5.0% (state: 4.8%)
See all stories featuring: Arizona
4. Arkansas: Benton County
> Largest place in county: Rogers
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +23.2% (221,351 to 272,608)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Arkansas: +3.4% (2.9 million to 3.0 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +36,225
> 2018 unemployment: 2.9% (state: 3.7%)
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
[in-text-ad-2]
5. California: Placer County
> Largest place in county: Roseville
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +12.8% (348,503 to 393,149)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, California: +6.2% (37.3 million to 39.6 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +38,736
> 2018 unemployment: 3.2% (state: 4.2%)
See all stories featuring: California
6. Colorado: Weld County
> Largest place in county: Greeley
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +24.3% (252,847 to 314,305)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Colorado: +13.2% (5.0 million to 5.7 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +41,180
> 2018 unemployment: 3.0% (state: 3.3%)
See all stories featuring: Colorado
[in-text-ad]
7. Connecticut: Fairfield County
> Largest place in county: Bridgeport
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +2.9% (916,864 to 943,823)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Connecticut: +0.0% (3.6 million to 3.6 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: -1,185
> 2018 unemployment: 4.0% (state: 4.1%)
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
24/7 Wall St.
8. Delaware: Sussex County
> Largest place in county: Seaford
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +16.3% (197,106 to 229,286)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Delaware: +7.7% (897,934 to 967,171)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +32,694
> 2018 unemployment: 3.7% (state: 3.8%)
See all stories featuring: Delaware
9. Florida: Sumter County
> Largest place in county: The Villages
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +37.8% (93,420 to 128,754)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Florida: +13.3% (18.8 million to 21.3 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +43,639
> 2018 unemployment: 5.1% (state: 3.6%)
See all stories featuring: Florida
[in-text-ad-2]
10. Georgia: Forsyth County
> Largest place in county: Cumming
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +34.8% (175,511 to 236,612)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Georgia: +8.6% (9.7 million to 10.5 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +50,075
> 2018 unemployment: 3.1% (state: 3.9%)
See all stories featuring: Georgia
11. Hawaii: Hawaii County
> Largest place in county: Hilo
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +8.6% (185,076 to 200,983)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Hawaii: +4.4% (1.4 million to 1.4 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +9,992
> 2018 unemployment: 3.0% (state: 2.4%)
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
[in-text-ad]
12. Idaho: Ada County
> Largest place in county: Boise City
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +19.8% (392,371 to 469,966)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Idaho: +11.9% (1.6 million to 1.8 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +58,094
> 2018 unemployment: 2.5% (state: 2.8%)
See all stories featuring: Idaho
13. Illinois: Kendall County
> Largest place in county: Oswego
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +11.4% (114,803 to 127,915)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Illinois: -0.7% (12.8 million to 12.7 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +4,016
> 2018 unemployment: 3.5% (state: 4.3%)
See all stories featuring: Illinois
14. Indiana: Hamilton County
> Largest place in county: Carmel
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +20.2% (274,569 to 330,086)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Indiana: +3.2% (6.5 million to 6.7 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +36,188
> 2018 unemployment: 2.7% (state: 3.4%)
See all stories featuring: Indiana
[in-text-ad-2]
15. Iowa: Dallas County
> Largest place in county: Waukee
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +36.4% (66,138 to 90,180)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Iowa: +3.6% (3.0 million to 3.2 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +17,290
> 2018 unemployment: 1.7% (state: 2.5%)
See all stories featuring: Iowa
16. Kansas: Pottawatomie County
> Largest place in county: Wamego
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +12.4% (21,608 to 24,277)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Kansas: +2.0% (2.9 million to 2.9 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +1,048
> 2018 unemployment: 2.8% (state: 3.4%)
See all stories featuring: Kansas
[in-text-ad]
17. Kentucky: Scott County
> Largest place in county: Georgetown
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +19.0% (47,102 to 56,031)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Kentucky: +3.0% (4.3 million to 4.5 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +6,260
> 2018 unemployment: 3.3% (state: 4.3%)
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
18. Louisiana: St. Bernard Parish
> Largest place in county: Chalmette
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +30.2% (35,897 to 46,721)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Louisiana: +2.8% (4.5 million to 4.7 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +8,153
> 2018 unemployment: 5.0% (state: 4.9%)
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
19. Maine: York County
> Largest place in county: Biddeford
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +4.6% (197,140 to 206,229)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Maine: +0.8% (1.3 million to 1.3 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +9,412
> 2018 unemployment: 3.0% (state: 3.4%)
See all stories featuring: Maine
[in-text-ad-2]
20. Maryland: Howard County
> Largest place in county: Columbia
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +12.6% (287,123 to 323,196)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Maryland: +4.7% (5.8 million to 6.0 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +20,553
> 2018 unemployment: 3.0% (state: 3.9%)
See all stories featuring: Maryland
21. Massachusetts: Suffolk County
> Largest place in county: Boston
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +11.8% (722,190 to 807,252)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Massachusetts: +5.4% (6.5 million to 6.9 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +46,489
> 2018 unemployment: 3.0% (state: 3.3%)
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
[in-text-ad]
22. Michigan: Ottawa County
> Largest place in county: Holland
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +10.1% (263,795 to 290,494)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Michigan: +1.1% (9.9 million to 10.0 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +14,031
> 2018 unemployment: 2.8% (state: 4.1%)
See all stories featuring: Michigan
24/7 Wall St.
23. Minnesota: Carver County
> Largest place in county: Chaska
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +13.7% (91,086 to 103,551)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Minnesota: +5.8% (5.3 million to 5.6 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +6,855
> 2018 unemployment: 2.5% (state: 2.9%)
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
24. Mississippi: Lafayette County
> Largest place in county: Oxford
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +15.7% (47,359 to 54,793)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Mississippi: +0.6% (3.0 million to 3.0 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +5,897
> 2018 unemployment: 3.9% (state: 4.8%)
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
[in-text-ad-2]
25. Missouri: Platte County
> Largest place in county: Kansas City
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +15.3% (89,325 to 102,985)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Missouri: +2.3% (6.0 million to 6.1 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +9,171
> 2018 unemployment: 2.6% (state: 3.2%)
See all stories featuring: Missouri
26. Montana: Gallatin County
> Largest place in county: Bozeman
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +25.0% (89,513 to 111,876)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Montana: +7.4% (989.409 to 1.1 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +16,853
> 2018 unemployment: 2.5% (state: 3.7%)
See all stories featuring: Montana
[in-text-ad]
27. Nebraska: Sarpy County
> Largest place in county: Bellevue
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +16.1% (158,835 to 184,459)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Nebraska: +5.6% (1.8 million to 1.9 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +11,900
> 2018 unemployment: 2.7% (state: 2.8%)
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
28. Nevada: Clark County
> Largest place in county: Las Vegas
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +14.4% (2.0 million to 2.2 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Nevada: +12.4% (2.7 million to 3.0 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +183,271
> 2018 unemployment: 4.8% (state: 4.6%)
See all stories featuring: Nevada
29. New Hampshire: Strafford County
> Largest place in county: Dover
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +5.6% (123,149 to 130,090)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, New Hampshire: +3.0% (1.3 million to 1.4 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +5,233
> 2018 unemployment: 2.3% (state: 2.5%)
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
[in-text-ad-2]
30. New Jersey: Hudson County
> Largest place in county: Jersey City
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +6.6% (634,245 to 676,061)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, New Jersey: +1.3% (8.8 million to 8.9 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: -11,148
> 2018 unemployment: 3.9% (state: 4.1%)
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
31. New Mexico: Sandoval County
> Largest place in county: Rio Rancho
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +10.3% (131,620 to 145,179)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, New Mexico: +1.8% (2.1 million to 2.1 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +9,811
> 2018 unemployment: 5.0% (state: 4.9%)
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
[in-text-ad]
32. New York: Saratoga County
> Largest place in county: Saratoga Springs
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +4.8% (219,593 to 230,163)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, New York: +0.8% (19.4 million to 19.5 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +7,028
> 2018 unemployment: 3.5% (state: 4.1%)
See all stories featuring: New York
24/7 Wall St.
33. North Carolina: Brunswick County
> Largest place in county: Oak Island
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +27.3% (107,429 to 136,744)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, North Carolina: +8.9% (9.5 million to 10.4 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +31,120
> 2018 unemployment: 5.2% (state: 3.9%)
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
34. North Dakota: Williams County
> Largest place in county: Williston
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +57.8% (22,399 to 35,350)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, North Dakota: +13.0% (672,576 to 760,077)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +9,692
> 2018 unemployment: 2.0% (state: 2.6%)
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
[in-text-ad-2]
35. Ohio: Delaware County
> Largest place in county: Delaware
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +17.6% (174,172 to 204,826)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Ohio: +1.3% (11.5 million to 11.7 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +21,367
> 2018 unemployment: 3.4% (state: 4.6%)
See all stories featuring: Ohio
36. Oklahoma: Canadian County
> Largest place in county: Oklahoma City
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +25.0% (115,540 to 144,447)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Oklahoma: +5.1% (3.8 million to 3.9 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +22,136
> 2018 unemployment: 2.8% (state: 3.4%)
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
[in-text-ad]
37. Oregon: Deschutes County
> Largest place in county: Bend
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +21.7% (157,730 to 191,996)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Oregon: +9.4% (3.8 million to 4.2 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +30,773
> 2018 unemployment: 4.2% (state: 4.2%)
See all stories featuring: Oregon
24/7 Wall St.
38. Pennsylvania: Cumberland County
> Largest place in county: Carlisle
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +6.8% (235,405 to 251,423)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Pennsylvania: +0.8% (12.7 million to 12.8 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +13,679
> 2018 unemployment: 3.3% (state: 4.3%)
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
39. Rhode Island: Providence County
> Largest place in county: Providence
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +1.5% (626,762 to 636,084)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Rhode Island: +0.4% (1.1 million to 1.1 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: -4,303
> 2018 unemployment: 4.4% (state: 4.1%)
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
[in-text-ad-2]
40. South Carolina: Horry County
> Largest place in county: Myrtle Beach
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +27.9% (269,126 to 344,147)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, South Carolina: +9.9% (4.6 million to 5.1 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +74,340
> 2018 unemployment: 4.2% (state: 3.4%)
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
41. South Dakota: Lincoln County
> Largest place in county: Sioux Falls
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +31.2% (44,823 to 58,807)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, South Dakota: +8.4% (814,198 to 882,235)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +9,098
> 2018 unemployment: 2.3% (state: 3.0%)
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
[in-text-ad]
42. Tennessee: Williamson County
> Largest place in county: Franklin
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +26.4% (183,265 to 231,729)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Tennessee: +6.7% (6.3 million to 6.8 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +39,493
> 2018 unemployment: 2.5% (state: 3.5%)
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
43. Texas: Hays County
> Largest place in county: San Marcos
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +41.7% (157,099 to 222,631)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Texas: +14.1% (25.1 million to 28.7 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +53,262
> 2018 unemployment: 3.0% (state: 3.9%)
See all stories featuring: Texas
44. Utah: Wasatch County
> Largest place in county: Heber
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +41.3% (23,525 to 33,240)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Utah: +14.4% (2.8 million to 3.2 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +7,146
> 2018 unemployment: 3.1% (state: 3.1%)
See all stories featuring: Utah
[in-text-ad-2]
45. Vermont: Chittenden County
> Largest place in county: Burlington
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +5.1% (156,540 to 164,572)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Vermont: +0.1% (625,744 to 626,299)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +4,171
> 2018 unemployment: 2.1% (state: 2.7%)
See all stories featuring: Vermont
46. Virginia: Loudoun County
> Largest place in county: Leesburg
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +30.3% (312,348 to 406,850)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Virginia: +6.5% (8.0 million to 8.5 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +61,576
> 2018 unemployment: 2.5% (state: 3.0%)
See all stories featuring: Virginia
[in-text-ad]
47. Washington: Franklin County
> Largest place in county: Pasco
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +20.7% (78,163 to 94,347)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Washington: +12.1% (6.7 million to 7.5 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +5,454
> 2018 unemployment: 6.1% (state: 4.5%)
See all stories featuring: Washington
48. West Virginia: Berkeley County
> Largest place in county: Martinsburg
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +12.4% (104,172 to 117,123)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, West Virginia: -2.5% (1.9 million to 1.8 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +9,619
> 2018 unemployment: 4.1% (state: 5.3%)
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
49. Wisconsin: Dane County
> Largest place in county: Madison
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +11.1% (488,067 to 542,364)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Wisconsin: +2.2% (5.7 million to 5.8 million)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +29,874
> 2018 unemployment: 2.2% (state: 3.0%)
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
[in-text-ad-2]
50. Wyoming: Teton County
> Largest place in county: Jackson
> 2010-2018 pop. change: +8.4% (21,298 to 23,081)
> 2010-2018 pop. change, Wyoming: +2.5% (563,773 to 577,737)
> 2010-2018 pop. change due to migration: +372
> 2018 unemployment: 3.0% (state: 4.1%)
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)
Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.
Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.
Click here now to get started.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
