Is it starting to fill a little crowded?

U.S. Census data results said Hamilton County has grown 50.3 percent in the past decade - from 2000 to 2010 - and now ranks as the fourth most populated county in the state.

According to the 2010 Census, Hamilton County has a population of 274,569 - up from 2000's data of 182,740 people. The five fastest-growing counties in the state were all in the "doughnut" and metro Indianapolis area. Hamilton County had the largest growth rate among Indiana's 92 counties.

It should come as no surprise that the county's big four communities - Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield - have all almost doubled in size since the last count in 2000.

Carmel and Fishers were the fastest-growing communities in the state.

Within Hamilton County, Carmel now ranks as the largest community with 79,191 people. In 2000, the city (with a population of 37,733) was close but ranked second in Hamilton County behind Fishers, which had 37,835 people. Fishers now has a population of 76,794 people.

After Carmel and Fishers, the third fastest-growing city among the state's 20 largest cities was Noblesville at 82 percent.

Noblesville's official population is now 51,969 which makes it the 14th largest community in the state. The 2000 census showed that Noblesville had a population of 28,590 and was Indiana's 29th largest community. City of Noblesville Spokeswoman Cara Culp said the city then conducted a special census in 2005 which revealed that the population had grown to 39,350.

"Based on data such as housing permits issued, we had estimated that our population was around 50,000," said Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear. "In addition to demonstrating that Noblesville is a great place to live, the increased 2010 population figures will also help Noblesville qualify for additional funding assistance to help with infrastructure and other projects."

The largest percentage growth in Hamilton County came from Westfield - which more than tripled its population between its time as a town in 2000 to a city in 2010. Westfield's population grew from 9,293 in 2000 to 30,068 in 2010.

"We are thrilled with the new census numbers," says Westfield Mayor Andy Cook. "In 2000, we had approximately 9,000 residents and now we are over 30,000. It is clear that Westfield is a place where people want to live and enjoy our growing quality of life."

In addition to determining Congressional redistricting, population counts from the census are also used to determine the amount of funding that a community receives from the federal government to be used for road repairs, construction, and other projects. An accurate count of a community's population is critical in order to provide federal funding assistance for projects which benefit that community's residents.

Ditslear said the city of Noblesville appreciates the cooperation of residents in responding to the census. Noblesville had an 83 percent response rate, which is the percentage of households to return their census response without any follow up necessary from census workers.

Indiana ranked third - tied with Iowa - in the nation with 79 percent of the state's residents participating in the 2010 Census. Wisconsin and Minnesota barely edged out Indiana with 82 percent and 81 percent participating respectively. The national average for participating was 74 percent.
© 2011 The Times