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Berkeley fastest growing county in West Virginia

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Berkeley County was the fastest growing county in West Virginia last year and it added the most new residents, according to a report released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Jefferson County posted the second highest rate of growth and the third most new residents, while Morgan County saw more residents after three years of population declines.

Between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014, Berkeley County grew at a rate of about 1.7 percent and added 1,813 residents. Berkeley County’s total population was 110,497, the second most of West Virginia’s 55 counties.

Since the 2010 Census, Berkeley County has grown by 6,328 residents, a total rate of about 6.1 percent.

During this period, Berkeley County added more residents than Wirt County has residents. Wirt’s population as of July 1, 2014, was 5,845.

Jefferson County’s growth rate between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014, was about 1.4 percent. The number of new residents was 752 for a total of 55,713.

The county’s population has grown by 2,215 since 2010 for a total rate of about 4.1 percent.

Morgan County recorded 31 new residents between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014, for a total of 17,453. That is an about two-tenths of 1 percent rate of growth.

Since 2010, the county has lost 88 residents for a total growth rate of about minus 0.5 percent.

Monongalia County also has shown significant growth with a rate of about 1.2 percent, third highest, and 1,246 new residents, second most, from July 1, 2013, to July 1, 2014. Its total population is 103,463, third most in the state.

After explosive growth during the first couple of years this decade, Monongalia’s growth has slowed. Since 2010, its total growth rate has been about 7.6 percent, adding 7,274 new residents.

Kanawha County, the state’s most populous, continues to lose residents. From July 1, 2013, to July 1, 2014, its population decreased by 1,171 or about minus 0.6 percent. Its population was 190,223.

Since 2010, Kanawha has lost 2,840 residents, a rate of about minus 1.5 percent.

Statewide, the population declined by 3,269, a rate of about minus two-tenths of 1 percent between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014. The state’s total population was 1,850,326.

Between 2010 and 2014, West Virginia has seen a net loss of 2,707 residents, a rate of about minus one-tenth of 1 percent.

The complete Census report can be seen at 1.usa.gov/1D2TtuC.

– Staff writer John McVey can be reached at 304-263-3381, ext. 128.

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