Modest population growth on the Central Coast

When it comes to population growth, counties on the Central Coast are no match for Maricopa County, Arizona, which had the nation’s highest annual population growth. That’s according to the U.S. Census Bureau statistics released today.

San Benito County, gained 941 people between July 1, 2015 and July 1 2016, ending with a population of 59,414. (1.6% growth)

Monterey County showed the second highest growth at .7%, adding 3,225 people during the same time period for a total of 435,232.

Santa Cruz County experienced just .4% growth, gaining another 1,046 people. Total population as of July 1 2016: 274,673.

By comparison, Maricopa County – home to Phoenix – gained 81,360 people between 2015-2016, or about 222 people per day.

Here’s a look at how many people are moving in, and out, of our three Central Coast counties:

MONTEREY COUNTY: (2010-2014)

1,564 moved in from Santa Cruz County 1,143 moved in from Santa Clara County 544 moved in from Sacramento County 507 moved in from Fresno County 3,046 moved in from abroad 9077 moved in from out of state 9237 moved to a different state

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY: (2010-2014)

3,452 moved in from Santa Clara County 1,564 moved to Monterey County 1,660 moved to Santa Clara County 892 moved to Los Angeles County 2,885 moved from out of state 3,540 moved to a different state 1,107 moved from abroad

SAN BENITO COUNTY: (2010-2014)

403 moved in from Monterey County 923 moved in from Santa Clara County 312 moved in from Merced County 309 moved in from San Joaquin County 226 moved from out of state 384 moved to a different state 126 moved in from abroad