Growth rate falls in Indiana for 6th consecutive year

Indiana’s annual growth rate fell for the sixth consecutive year in 2012 to a .32 percent increase, according to the Indiana Business Research Center.

Slow population growth has been a norm in various parts of the country. However, Indiana’s growth rate in 2012 was still higher than each of its neighboring states, according to estimates.

The population of Indiana’s suburban communities is growing at a steady rate, showing slow increase, according to estimates for 2012.

There was as much as a one percent population incease in Monroe County from 2011-12. Only four counties experienced an increase more than one percent, according
to census data.

Hamilton County was Indiana’s fastest-growing county with a 2.2 percent increase, whereas the largest population increase was in Marion County, adding 7,972 residents to its overall population in 2012.

While a number of metropolitan areas adjusted to increases, other Indiana communities experienced a decline in 2012. The county losing the most residents in terms of its overall population was Lake County, its overall population down 1,535 residents.

“With a few notable exceptions, population growth is proving to be the ultimate lagging indicator in our steady yet slow economic recovery,” Matt Kinghorn, state demographer at the IBRC, said in a news release. “However, the experience of a community like Bartholomew County shows that a dynamic local economy will attract new residents.”

— Anu Kumar