Brunswick County fastest growing county in North Carolina, 47th in the nation

Brunswick County is the fastest-growing county in North Carolina, and is the 47th-fastest growing county in the nation, according to figures released from the U.S. Census Bureau Thursday.

Brunswick County’s population grew from 112,197 in 2012 to 115,301 in 2013, an increase of 3,104 people and a rate of 2.8 percent. That rate of growth was higher than any other county in North Carolina, earning Brunswick County the designation of fastest-growing county in North Carolina.

The next fastest counties, Mecklenburg and Wake, grew by 2.4 percent and 2.3 percent in that same time, respectively. Pender County grew by 2.1 percent. As a whole, the state of North Carolina’s population grew by 1 percent.

“These numbers reflect the fact that word is getting out that Brunswick County is  a great place to live, work, start or build a business and raise a family,” said County Commissioner Frank Williams.

That 2.8 percent growth rate also makes Brunswick County the 47th-fastest growing county in the United States. The overall rate of growth in the United States was 0.7 percent for the same time period.

The Myrtle Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which was realigned to include Brunswick County in early 2013, saw 10,730 new residents at a growth rate of 2.7 percent from 2012 to 2013. That rate makes it the seventh-fastest growing MSA in the United States.

“The figures reflect continued interest in Brunswick County as a desirable location to live, work and visit,” said Director of Planning and Community Development Mike Hargett. “Based on the increasing level of development activity, this positive trend is expected to continue.”

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates population figures for counties, county equivalents, metropolitan areas and micropolitan areas annually between census calculations.