Austin Counties Among the Fastest Growing in the U.S.

Counties in Central Texas are among the fastest growing in the United States, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau Thursday. The findings were made as part of the five-year-long American Community Survey.

Texas counties won seven of the top 20 spots for percentage population growth for counties with more than 10,000 residents between 2009 and 2014. Williamson County was the 43rd-fastest growing county in the United States over the past five years, and has been the fastest growing county in the Austin area by percentage since 2009, the Austin Business Journal reported. The county grew from 84,780 new residents to 372,438 in 2009 and was up to 457,218 by 2014.

Hays County also showed significant growth, adding 29,039 residents between 2009 and 2014. , Hays was ranked as the 28th-fastest growing county with a population of more than 10,000 over the past five years. Travis County was ranked 105th-fastest growing large county in the U.S., and gained 126,049 residents over the past five years. Bastrop County was the slowest-growing in the Austin area, but still added 3,780 residents over the past five years. Waller County was the fastest growing county in Texas with more than 10,000 residents over the past five years, adding 9,273 residents between 2009 and 2014.

“The American Community Survey is how America knows what America needs,” said Census Bureau Director John H. Thompson . “From its beginning 10 years ago, it immediately proved to be a vital tool in providing a portrait of Gulf Coast communities recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Today, it is the premier source of statistics for anyone needing detailed local information for small towns, neighborhoods and communities both rural and urban.”

To explore a data map provided by the Austin Business Journal click HERE.