According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Delaware County has regained its title as the fastest growing county in Ohio, based on the most recent annual population-growth rate. Though it never lost the lead in the growth rate since the last U.S. Census in 2010, last year was the first time in a long time that another county inched ahead. That was neighboring Union County.
This year, Delaware County took back the lead with a 2.1% growth rate, as measured from July 1, 2017, to July 1, 2018. The County grew from an estimated population of 200,542 in 2017 to 204,826 in 2018.
But Union wasn’t far behind, taking second place in the state this year with a 1.8% growth rate.
Nationally, counties with the largest numeric growth are all located in the south and the west, with counties in Texas taking four out of the top 10 spots. By metropolitan area, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas, had the largest numeric growth with a gain of 131,767 (1.8 percent) in 2018, followed by Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. with an increase of 96,268 (2.0 percent). Migration, both domestic and international, as well as natural increase contributed to the growth in each of these areas, with natural increase serving as the largest source of population growth in Dallas and domestic migration serving as the largest source in Phoenix.
Out of 3,142 counties, 1,739 (55.3 percent) gained population between 2017 and 2018. Twelve counties (0.4 percent) experienced no change in population during this time, while the remaining 1,391 (44.3 percent) lost population. Between 2010 and 2018, 1,481 (47.1 percent) counties gained population and 1,661 (52.9 percent) lost population.
The 2018 census estimates can be accessed here.
