Census: James City County Fastest-Growing Locality in Hampton Roads

By Amber Lester Kennedy Tuesday, February 08, 2011

U.S. Census data shows James City County experienced more growth in the past decade than any other locality in Hampton Roads.

The county saw its population grow by 39.3 percent, making it the fifth fastest-growing locality in the state. Virginia also rose to become the 16th most densely populated state in the country, with most of the growth occurring in Northern Virginia. Virginia’s total population is now 8 million, and grew by more than 900,000 between 2000 and 2010.

Northern Virginia grew by 55 percent, while metropolitan Richmond grew by 17 percent and Hampton Roads grew by 10 percent. The majority of the population now lives in Northern Virginia, while 21 percent of the total population lives in Hampton Roads, according to data from the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.

The Hispanic population, which can be any race, rose from less than 5 percent in 2000 to nearly 8 percent of the total population. More than 60 percent of the Hispanic population lives in Northern Virginia.

James City County’s population grew from 48,102 in 2000 to 67,009 in 2010. Neighboring York County grew 16.3 percent, from 56,297 in 2000 to 65,464 in 2010. Williamsburg’s population grew 17.3 percent, from 11,998 in 2000 to 14,068 in 2010.