Census Bureau Ranks Growth Rate of U.S. Counties – Flagler is 64th, St Johns 15th

Only counties with populations greater than 100,000 were ranked. Of the top 100, 14 are in Florida.

PALM COAST, FL – May 24, 2016 – The Census Bureau has released the list of the fastest growing counties in the U.S. with populations over 100,000. Flagler County, ranked 64th, joins 13 other Florida counties on the top 100 list. Neighboring St Johns county ranked 15th. The report covers the estimated growth between July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2015.

The Census Bureau enumerates official census data each decade. The last official census was  in 2010. The next official census will be in 20120. Flagler's estimated growth rate was 2.8%, with an estimated addition of 2,831 to the county's population. 

During the hight of the housing bubble, Flagler County and Palm Coast were ranked 1st in growth rate two years in a row. The irrational exuberance soon led to an overheated market. Flagler County and Palm Coast were left with an abundant supply of unoccupied dwellings. Over a several-year period, in-migration has exhausted the distressed inventory. Flagler MLS currentl lists 807 single-family residential Flagler homes; only a 4.7 month supply. Of this inventory, only 8 are short sales and 14 foreclosures. 

Flagler's estimated growth rate creates a demand for approximately 1,000 to 1,200 new residential units annually. There were only 573 single-family residential building permits issued in the county last year. With a variety of distressed inventory no longer available, builders are going to have to step up their new construction pace to accommodate Flagler County's anticipated growth.