Published: March 21, 2008 10:35 am      

Number 20

Hays among fastest-growing counties in the US

San Marcos — We’re number 20.

According to population estimates released on Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau, Hays is the 20th fastest-growing county in the country.

The Census says the county’s population grew 45 percent between April 1, 2000 and July 1, 2007, detailing that Hays had 97,574 residents by the earlier date and 141,480 by the latter — an increase of 43,906 people in just more than seven years.

Also on the list of the “100 fastest growing counties” were Central Texas neighbor Comal, coming in as number 46 with a 34.8 percent population increase.

Also released on Thursday was a list of the fastest-growing large counties. Bexar to the south was at number 20 and Travis, to the north, at 41.

In terms of dramatic growth in municipalities, Kyle wins out. Census figures show Kyle with a population of 5,653 on April 1, 2000 and a population of 20,655 on July 1, 2006, making for an increase of 265.38 percent.

In San Marcos, the population was estimated at 35,721 on April 1, 2000 and 47,181 on July 1, 2006, an increase of 32.08 percent.

Buda (2,526 on April 1, 2000 and 4,551 on July 1, 2006) saw its population rise 80.17 percent; in

Dripping Springs (1,548 on April 1, 2000 and 1,677 on July 1, 2006) saw an increase of 833 percent; while in Wimberley (2,592 on April 1, 2000 and 2,703 on July 1, 2006) the increase was 4.28 percent.