NEW KENT — Rapid growth in New Kent has placed the county among the fastest-growing areas in the nation, according to a new study.
U.S. Census Bureau figures published in March revealed New Kent County’s population increased by 4.7% in 2023, making it the 10th fastest-growing county in the country among municipalities with a population of 20,000 or more.
The study found that the fastest growth in that category is occurring in the South. Kaufman County, Texas, saw the most rapid growth in the nation last year (7.6%). Another five counties in Texas were in the top 10, as well as two counties in Georgia and one in South Carolina.
The U.S. Census Bureau figures provided more evidence of the ongoing migration from densely-populated urban areas to more rural and suburban counties seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Domestic migration patterns are changing, and the impact on counties is especially evident,” said Lauren Bowers, chief of the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Branch in a news release. “Areas which experienced high levels of domestic out-migration during the pandemic, such as in the Midwest and Northeast, are now seeing more counties with population growth. Meanwhile, county population growth is slowing down out west, such as in Arizona and Idaho.”
Los Angeles County in California lost the most residents in 2023 — 56,420. Kings, Queens and Bronx counties in New York followed with population losses of 28,306; 26,362; and 25,332, respectively.
In Virginia, growth in the greater Richmond area has outpaced northern Virginia and Hampton Roads over the last five years. However, rapidly rising home prices in Richmond, Henrico County and Chesterfield County are pushing buyers further out to New Kent, Louisa and Goochland — the fastest-growing counties in the state.
New Kent County has experienced sustained growth in recent years. New Kent was the second-fastest growing county in Virginia in the 2020 census. A report published earlier this year by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service revealed the county’s 11.9% growth estimate from April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2023, was the highest in the commonwealth.
As of July, the estimated population in New Kent was 26,134, as compared to 22,944 in 2020.
The county’s rapid growth has pushed up home prices and increased pressure on schools and the emergency services resulting in a decision to recruit 18 new firefighters.
Laura Ecimovic, the county’s commissioner of revenue, told the New Kent County Board of Supervisors in January that the average sale price of a home has risen to $435,000 from $288,000 in 2021. She called the county’s amount of growth “unprecedented.”
David Macaulay, Davidmacaulayva@gmail.com
