WARRICK COUNTY — Warrick County remains among Indiana's fastest-growing counties, according to recently released data from the 2010 census.
It showed Warrick's population grew almost 14 percent, to nearly 60,000, during the last decade.
Though Indiana's overall population increased about 6.6 percent from 2000, only 20 counties grew by more than that rate, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Furthermore, 29 of the state's 92 counties, including Posey, lost residents between 2000 and 2010.
Gaining population is nothing new for Evansville's neighbor to the east. Since 1970, Warrick's population has more than doubled to its current count of 59,689. From 1990 to 2000 the county grew about 16 percent. Its 13.9 percent growth rate during the past decade makes it the 11th-fastest growing county in the state.
Shari Sherman, executive director of the Warrick County Chamber of Commerce, said the perks of suburban life continue to draw people — and businesses looking to capitalize on the population boom — to the county. Sherman pointed the county's award-winning school system and proximity to Evansville as main reasons the county is a top destination.
"I think the numbers give credence to what those of us who live in Warrick County know: It's a great place to live and work and do business," she said.
Ohio Township, located in the southwestern corner of the county, largely consisting of suburbs of Evansville, continues grow at a face pace and is easily the Warrick's most populous of its 10 townships with 37,749 residents, 21 percent more than in 2000.
While Evansville is so close, Sherman said, businesses have realized they can come to its suburban neighbor and be successful.
"You can shop (in Evansville) if you choose, but there are a lot of places (here) to shop and do business," she said. "I think businesses are seeing that they can come to Warrick County and provide the services that the people that live in Warrick County are wanting."
But Ohio Township was not the county's fastest growing township — that was its northern neighbor, Campbell Township. Home to fewer than 1,000 people, Campbell grew by 88 percent compared with 2000 when it had 480 residents. Three of the county's townships lost population since 2000, but none of those losses were more than 90 people.
Within Vanderburgh County the population has been migrated northward during the past decade largely outside of the Evansville city limits.
Though the county grew to almost 180,000, a 4.5 percent increase, Evansville's official population stands at 117,429, 3.4 percent less than a decade ago.
Most of Vanderburgh County's growth came from two townships, Center, which includes the northern part of the city as well as unincorporated areas north of the city, and Scott, Center's northern neighbor.
Center grew by 6,787 residents, a 21 percent increase, while Scott grew by more than 56 percent. In contrast, Pigeon Township lost 3,883 residents during the last decade or about 11 percent. With 67,491 Knight Township remains the county's largest township, growing by less than 1 percent compared with 2000.
Suburban growth largely propelled the state's population growth, especially in the Indianapolis metro area. All of the five fastest-growing counties border the state's largest city, led by Hamilton County, which grew by more than 50 percent.
Sherman said she expects Warrick County to continue its suburban's growth, but not all of Evansville's surrounding areas had the same suburban appeal. Gibson County increased by 3.1 percent, while Posey County lost 4.3 percent of its residents compared with a decade ago.
With a 5.6 percent increase, Dubois County ranked as the second-fastest growing county in the region, adding 2,215 residents for a total of 41,889.