With Greenville recently named one of the top moving destinations in the U.S., we were curious about our city’s future. How fast is Greenville growing, and how many people are moving to our city?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the City of Greenville’s population change from 2017 to 2018 was only 295 people. To put that in perspective – Wyche Pavilion’s max occupancy is ~250.
This 0.43% population increase (from 68,268 to 68,563) earned us the 93rd spot on the U.S. Census Bureau’s rankings of the fastest growing cities and towns in S.C. – far behind several other Upstate cities like Fountain Inn, Simpsonville, Greer and Travelers Rest, who all ranked in the top-25.Greenville’s growth has slowed over the last few years. In 2016, the city saw a 5.8% growth rate. From 2016-2017, our population grew 1.9%. Last year’s 0.43% marks another decrease in the annual growth rate + falls below the average 0.7% change in the annual population rate for a city of 50,000+.
If our growth rate is relatively slow + decreasing, why does it feel like everyone’s moving here?
Greenville has seen significant growth since the last official census. From 2010-2018, the city’s population increased ~9,400 people (15.9%). The county as a whole saw a similar percentage increase during that time (14%) – with population estimates jumping from 451,184 to 514,213.
The larger Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin metropolitan statistical area saw an increase of 71,693 residents (8.7%) from 2010-2017. Natural growth (meaning births minus deaths) only accounted for one-quarter of the increase. So people are moving here – but the growth has been happening over the last 10 years and growth rates have slowed in more recent years.
Recent data + plans seem to anticipate continued population growth for our area. Greenville’s Downtown Master Plan projects that Greenville’s downtown population will grow by 4,600-6,000 new residents by 2028 (see slide 14). Plan Greenville County anticipates an 8% total population growth by 2023 (see page 19).
The 2020 census will provide a more definitive look at how Greenville has grown over the last 10 years + how on-track we are with growth projections for years to come.
Poll
