Chester County among fastest growing in Pa.
Chester County
remains one of Pennsylvania’s fastest growing counties in population, according
to figures released recently by the U.S. Census Bureau, but it is also bucking a
trend in the state regarding where its population growth is taking place.
Although the overwhelming number of new residents in the county found their home
in one of its 57 townships, there was significant growth from July 2010 to July
2012 in its 15 boroughs, the numbers show. “Chester County is different than the
statewide trends,” said David Ward, the assistant director of the county
Planning Committee, who spoke about the new census numbers on Friday. “We are
seeing as much reinvestment in the boroughs as new development in the
townships.” The growth in borough population, Ward and others said, was driven
by a number of factors, including the fact that infrastructure such as roads,
water and sewage systems are largely in place, and that younger residents are
finding it more affordable to locate in those largely urban areas. According to
the Census Bureau’s estimates, the county’s population rose by 7,697 over the
two-year span from 2010 to 2012, from 498,886 to 506,575, an increase of 1.5
percent. (The county’s population topped the 500,000 mark in July 2011, with an
estimated 503,662 residents.) Of the growth within the county, West Goshen led
all municipalities, with 826 new residents added to its 2010 population of
22,926, a 3.8 percent growth rate, meaning that it was the third-fastest growing
township in the state. Chester County’s boroughs also increased in population
overall, rising by 970 residents, or an increase of 12.6 percent. Leading the
way was West Chester, the county seat, which added 396 residents, making it the
third-fastest growing borough in the state. According to the census estimates,
the 10 municipalities with the most population growth from 2010 to 2012 were
West Goshen with 826 new residents; East Brandywine with 537; London Grove with
463; West Chester with 396; Valley with 386; Kennett with 244; Uwchlan with 238;
West Vincent with 220; Caln with 215; and Honey brook with 211.
Source:
Daily Local; 5/27/2013