Population growth trends continue to South and West
South Carolina's population grew by 1.7% in the past year to once again place in the top 10 according to US Census Bureau data. It's not hard to understand why the South keeps adding population when you hear about the harsh winter weather this past week in the North and Midwest while Charleston may reach 70 degrees on Christmas with no likelihood of snow.
Growth continues in the South and West, the fastest growing area by percentage is the West but the South added the most number of people. The exodus of people from the Northeast has slowed most likely due to the slowing real estate market and the inability of people to sell their homes and move to the South. Michigan (no surprise) and Rhode Island were the only two states to lose population.
The Southeast Coast including North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia was the fastest growing area in the South and will continue to positively impact the Charleston real estate market. Florida growth slowed, once again most likely affected by current real estate market conditions. And don't forget the impact of the "half backs" who have been moving from Florida into the Carolinas.
