If you ask any Baldwin County local, they’ll tell you that the area has experienced massive growth over the last few years. Results from the 2020 Census concur. In fact, Baldwin natives can now say with confidence that the county is the fastest-growing county in Alabama.

Over the last decade, Baldwin County welcomed 49,502 new residents to the area, growing from a population of 182,265 in 2010 to 231,767 in 2020. These numbers show a 27.16 percent population increase over the course of ten years.

The county’s population growth isn’t just substantial within the confines of the state. Baldwin County ranks as the seventh fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country, according to 2020 Census data.

Larger cities in Baldwin became privy to their data first, while smaller municipalities received results by Tuesday, Aug. 17. The results are more proof of the county’s decade of growth.

Five Baldwin cities are among the fastest growing municipalities, with three listed in the top five.

The fastest growing city in Alabama is Gulf Shores. Ten years ago, Gulf Shores boasted a population of 9,741. The 2020 Census now lists that population at 15,014, meaning the city grew by 54 percent over the decade. This also makes Gulf Shores the only Alabama city with at least 10,000 people to top 50 percent growth during the past ten years.

Second on the list of fastest growing cities in Alabama is Spanish Fort, which saw a population increase from 6,798 in 2010 to 10,049 in 2020, a 48 percent growth rate.

Fourth on the list is Fairhope, with a population of 22,477 in 2020, increasing from 15,326 in 2010. Foley ranked seventh with a population increase of 14,618 in 2010 to 20,335 as of the 2020 Census.

Daphne ranked eleventh with a population of 27,462 in 2020, up from 21,570 in 2010.

Among all Baldwin municipalities, including those within the top 11, Loxley experienced the largest percentage of growth, rising from 1,632 in 2010 to 3,710 in 2020, a population growth rate of 127.3 percent.

The only municipality to decline in population was Perdido Beach, dropping from 581 in 2010 to 555 2020, or -4.5 percent.

Bay Minette grew to a population of 8,107 in 2020, up from 8,044 in 2010. In Elberta, the population grew from 1,498 in 2010 to 1,974 in 2020.

Magnolia Springs saw an increase from 723 in 2010 to 811 in 2020.

Orange Beach now boasts a population of 8,095 in 2020, up from 5,441 in 2010, slightly under a 50 percent growth rate.

Robertsdale went from 5,276 in 2010 to 6,708 in 2020, while Silverhill experienced slight growth from 706 in 2010 to 768 in 2020.

Finally, Summerdale witnessed a growth rate of 70.3 percent, increasing from a population of 862 in 2010 to 1,468 in 2020.

Information gained from the Census is crucial to the development of counties and municipalities around the nation. Population data gathered is used to determine how federal grant dollars are distributed throughout the U.S. during the following ten years, funds that affect everything from education, healthcare, law enforcement agencies and highway infrastructure. Data also determines the number of seats a state will have in the United States House of Representatives. Earlier this year, data revealed that Alabama would neither add nor lose a seat in the House. Alabama currently has seven representatives.

For more information on the 2020 Census data results and redistricting, visit www.census.gov.