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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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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%)
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