COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — El Paso County continues to lead the state in population growth, according to newly-released estimates from the United States Census Bureau.
El Paso County had the largest year-over-year population increase in 2018 with a net gain of 13,056 people, the State Demography Office announced. That brought the state’s second-biggest county to a total estimated population of 713,856.
Denver County came in second with an increase of 11,053 people in 2018 for a total estimated population of 716,492.
The title of fastest-growing county went to San Juan County, which saw a net increase of 51 people in 2018, a 7.17 percent increase. San Juan County was also the second-fastest growing county in the nation, the state said.
Migration accounted for 65 percent of Colorado’s population growth last year, officials said, while births accounted for 35 percent of growth.
Here are the counties that saw the largest population increases in 2018:
1. El Paso (+13,056)
2. Denver (+11,053)
3. Weld (+9,031)
4. Adams (+7,440)
5. Douglas (+7,108)
6. Arapahoe (7,083)
7. Larimer (+6,525)
8. Jefferson (+4,416)
9. Boulder (+2,005)
10. Mesa (+1,801)
Statewide, Colorado’s population increased by 79,662 people in 2018 and all but seven counties saw gains, officials said.
Logan County saw the largest overall population decrease, losing 137 people, while Sedgwick County saw the largest decline rate with a loss of 1.33 percent of its population.
Other counties that saw population decreases in 2018 included Rio Blanco, Washington, Rio Grande, Phillips and Pitkin counties.