Politics & Government

Charleston Metro Area Among Fastest Growing in US

Newly released U.S. Census figures show the population of the Charleston Metropolitan area grew 4.9 percent between April 2010 and July 2012

With the Charleston Metro area now closing in on 700,000 residents, U.S. Census figures released on Thursday show the it was the 12th fastest growing population center in the U.S. between April 2010 and July 2012.

Growing faster than all but 11 other metropolitan areas in the country with at least 50,000 residents, the Charleston Metro area grew 4.94 percent over the 2-year period, adding 29,833 residents. As of July 1 2012, 697,439 people called somewhere in the Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester tri-county area home. 

Within the tri-county metro area, Charleston County added 13,888 residents, clocking a growth rate of 4.27 percent. The County had a total population of 365,162 by July 2012.

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Berkeley and Dorchester Counties saw even higher growth rates. Dorchester County broke into the top 100 fastest growing counties, adding 4,907 residents to post a 4.35 percent growth rate for the 97th spot during the study period. The county's population rose to 142,496 from 137,589.

Berkeley County broke into the top 50 fastest-growing counties, landing at 35th-fastest-growing with a 6.7 percent growth rate. The county gained 11,038 residents in that time growing to 189,781 residents.

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