County population is 33,121

By Carey Phillips

The county's population is 33,121, which is a 23.4 percent increase from the 1990 total from 26,846. Among Western North Carolina counties, only Henderson (28.7), Polk (27.1) and Macon (26.9) grew at faster rates.

While Jackson's growth rate outpaced the state average of 21.4 percent, it was less than half of the 50 percent growth seen in Johnston, the state's fastest growing county.

County Manager Jay Denton said it would depend on the demographics as to how the growth will impact the county. Those figures are not yet available.

"What age groups are we dealing with?" Denton asked. "If it's younger people, then it's schools we need. If it's older people, we will becoming more of a retirement community."

Sylva also experienced a healthy growth rate. The town has 2,435 residents, up 34.6 percent from 10 years ago. Much of that growth can be attributed to a 1996 annexation that Mayor Brenda Oliver said added almost 500 people to the city limits.

Among WNC county seats, only Hendersonville (43.1) and Waynesville (36.6) grew faster. Waynesville's growth can be primarily attributed to its merger with Hazelwood.

Sylva town administrator Tommy Thompson said he feels the town's growth also reflects an under count in 1990.

"(The new) numbers are more in line with the state projections we get each year," he said. "In 1990, we lost 15 percent of what those projections showed."

However, Oliver said she feels Sylva has still been under counted.

"I am disappointed to see the numbers are not more than that," she said. "I really believe there is an under count. I think we have grown more than 126 people (in addition to annexation)."

Dillsboro's growth soared 115.8 percent from 95 to 205. Those figures may also reflect an under count from 10 years ago.

"It surprised me, but I think it's real good," Mayor Wade Wilson said of the growth.

Dillsboro administrators fought for three years after the 1990 census claiming an under count. While the official figure was never changed, Wilson said the Census Bureau did increase the town's estimated population by about 30.

Webster grew 18.5 percent from 410 to 486.

"The figures show Webster grew by almost one-fifth, but to me it didn't seem like that much growth," Mayor Steve Gray said. "I think that may be a reflection of a zoning ordinance to prevent a high housing density and sprawl. Webster still seem to be retaining a rural atmosphere."

Forest Hills, Jackson County's newest municipality, was formed since the 1990 census. It's population is listed at 330.

"That's about right," Mayor Irene Hooper said. "We had figured it was about 300 and something."

As was the case across most of the state, the fastest growing minority group in Jackson County was Hispanics, with a growth rate of 272.3 percent from 155 to 557.

On the national level, North Carolina's population fell behind Georgia, making the Tar Heel State the nation's 11th most populous, with 8,049,313 residents.

Back to Archive: 03/29/01.