Several area counties losing population
Daviess County’s population continues to grow slowly, a new U.S. Census report shows.
The latest estimate, released late Wednesday, says that as of July 1, 2018, the county had 101,104 residents — up 558 from a year earlier.
It was 96,715 during the last census in 2010.
That might not sound like much growth, but the estimates say several western Kentucky counties lost population last year.
Hancock lost 20; Ohio, 49; McCracken, 51; Muhlenberg, 149; Hopkins, 301; and Henderson, 398.
And Jefferson County only grew by 140.
Last year’s gain was a little stronger than the census estimated for the previous year when it said Daviess County added 530 residents.
Daviess Judge-Executive Al Mattingly and Candance Castlen Brake, president of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, both see the county’s slow growth as good.
“I think it speaks well to the efforts of the city and county and our efforts at economic development, workforce development and the marketing of the community by the convention and visitors bureau,” Mattingly said.
“Apparently, people are starting to understand what we as a community have known for years,” he said. “We are a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
“This is just the kind of news we love to hear,” Brake said. “The fact that we continue to grow steadily is an affirmation of Greater Owensboro’s placemaking efforts and talent recruitment/retention strategies. The quality of life that our community has to offer is putting us on the map in different ways every day. And this steady growth is a by-product.”
She added, “This kind of sustained momentum is what happens when people across the community work toward a common goal of making us the best Owensboro we can be.”
Warren County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.
It added 2,269 people between 2017 and 2018, the census report estimates.
That took Warren’s population to 131,264.
Hardin County also grew rapidly last year.
The report said it added 2,130 people, making its total population 110,356.
Fayette County grew by 1,587, the report said, taking it to 323,780.
The Owensboro metropolitan area — Daviess, Hancock and McLean counties — had a population last year of 119,114. the census bureau estimated.
That was up from 118,543 the previous year.
It was 114,772 in 2010 during the last census.
Population estimates for cities will be released later this year.
County 2017 2018 change
Kentucky
Christian 71,252 71,671 417
Daviess 100,546 101,104 558
Fayette 322,193 323,780 1,587
Hancock 8,778 8,758 -20
Hardin 108,226 110,356 2,130
Henderson 45,989 45,591 -398
Hopkins 45,369 45,068 -301
Jefferson 770,377 770,517 140
McCracken 65,397 65,346 -51
McLean 9,219 9,252 33
Muhlenberg 30,923 30,774 -149
Ohio 24,136 24,087 -49
Warren 128,995 131,264 2,269
Indiana
Perry 18,988 19,102 114
Spencer 20,417 20,327 -90
Vanderbergh 180,900 180,974 74