Census estimates show virtually no growth

According to estimates, the county gained just 259 residents from July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2008 — a growth rate of less than one percent.

Madison County’s estimated population for 2008 was 28,200, slightly up from 27,941 in 2007.

Madison County gained 410 residents the year before.

The census bureau produces annual population estimates for all areas of general-purpose government – counties, cities, boroughs, villages and minor civilizations.

Population estimates in Madison County’s incorporated areas barely changed, rising by 24.

The county’s largest city, Comer, grew by 19 from 1,270 to 1,289.

The other city’s populations hardly budged.

Carlton (246), Colbert (527) and Ila (332) gained just one resident from 2007 to 2008. Danielsville (453) picked up two people.

Hull registered zero growth, staying at 161 residents. In fact, according to census figures, the city’s net growth since 2000 is one.

The bureau released the estimates, based on the number of building permits and mobile home permits issued during the 12-month period.

The annual estimates take the number of housing units from the 2000 Census and compensate for new houses by multiplying their number by the average number of residents per household from the 2000 Census, while removing housing units that are destroyed or removed. It takes a similar approach with mobile homes, based on data about the number of mobile homes shipped into any jurisdiction.

The methodology assumes that housing units are occupied within six months of the building permits being issued. It apparently does not take into consideration vacant houses that have either never been sold or occupied or from which owners have been forced out due to foreclosure and who may have relocated from one political subdivision to another.

Madison County certainly wasn’t alone in stagnant growth. In fact, of the seven bordering counties, only one — Jackson County (4.3 percent) — saw a growth increase of more than two percent.
Elbert County’s estimate actually decreased by 0.12 percent.