Jackson 10th fastest-growing county
U.S. Census Bureau gives national report
BY KERRI TESTEMENT
Jackson County is the 10th fastest-growing county in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Jackson is among three Georgia counties ranked in the top 10 of fastest-growing counties in the U.S., the Census reported last week. Forsyth County was named the eighth fastest-growing county in the U.S. and Paulding County was ninth. Neighboring Barrow County was the 12th fastest-growing in the nation, while Hall County was 50th.
Jackson County grew from an estimated 55,542 residents in 2006 to 59,254 in 2007 — which is a 6.7 percent increase in population, according to the Census.
“That means a lot,” said Shane Short, president of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce. “That means we are definitely a fast-growing county and we’ve got to get ready for the growth.”
Short said with the growing population, new services will come to Jackson County, such as retail opportunities.
“I think that gives us a positive outlook for more retail growth,” he said.
The 2006-2007 Census population estimates, however, were announced amid a slower economy.
“Although the economy nationwide has slowed down — and we have too in Jackson County — but we haven’t slowed as much as the other areas in the nation,” Short said.
Jackson County is among the Atlanta-area communities slated to continue to grow, he added. Atlanta is still expected to grow by millions over the next 10-15 years, Short said.
And while the real estate market has recently slowed in Jackson County, the market hasn’t stopped, Short said.
“It’s still active, it’s just not as active as it used to be,” he said.
The Census Bureau said all but one of the nation’s 10 fastest-growing counties were located in the South or West.
