Flagler now the third-fastest-growing county in the fastest-growing state

Flagler County is the third-fastest-growing county in the fastest-growing state, a recent Census Bureau release shows.

Home to Palm Coast, which − according to a University of Florida population estimate − is now the most populous city in the Volusia-Flagler area, Flagler has surged from one of the state's least populous counties to the 35th largest of 67.

Here's a look at what the latest census county data reveals about Florida's increasing population.

Flagler County continues climb

The county's 126,705 residents as of April 1, 2022, was a 4.8% jump from the same time in 2021. It also shows Flagler has grown by 11,322 people since the 2020 Census.

Compare that to Flagler County's 1970 population: 4,454. When that Census was taken, just four Florida counties were smaller: Gilchrist, Glades, Lafayette and Liberty.

Palm Coast, which had its grand opening on Oct. 29, 1970, was the result of an initiative by the International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation, better known as ITT, to amass land and develop infrastructure in what had been a rural frontier of cattle ranches, potato farms and pine forests where turpentine was harvested and distilled.

According to the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research, Bunnell, the county seat, was the fastest-growing city at 14.5% between the 2020 Census and April 1, 2022. It outpaced Palm Coast (8.6%) and the county (7.6), based on UF's estimate.

Volusia County's growth is middle-of-the-pack

Volusia County remains Florida's 12th most populous county, growing to 579,192 residents last year.

The pace of growth in Volusia remained steady, at 2.3% year-over-year. That was 32nd among Florida counties in 2022.

Daytona Beach was the fastest-growing city, at 8.6% between the 2020 Census and UF's estimate for 2022. Daytona, home to the booming Latitude Margaritaville and Mosaic developments off LPGA Boulevard, reached a population of 77,633.

Other booming counties include St. Johns

Sumter County, home to the largest portion of The Villages, was Florida's No. 1 boom county with a 7.5% growth rate year over year, the Census data show.

Sumter's population is 144,970.

And its largest city, Wildwood, was the state's fastest-growing city, UF research shows. Wildwood has a population estimated at 24,681, reflecting a 56.9% increase since 2020. Part of The Villages, the majority of which is in unincorporated Sumter, has now expanded into Wildwood. Considered a Census-designated place, part of the Villages also stretches into Marion County.

Stephen McDonald, CEO of the Realtors Association of Lake & Sumter Counties, said the county's attractive tax location and Central Florida location have attracted northerners, with 44% coming from New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois.

"It’s estimated Sumter County will have a 125% increase in population to 302,200 residents by 2050," McDonald said in an email. "It’s imaginable that The Villages will grow (west) into Hernando County."

Gulf is the second-fastest growing county, at 6%. Home to Mexico Beach, a community practically wiped off the map after 2017's Hurricane Michael, Gulf County has been rebuilding quickly. It remains a small, Florida panhandle county with 15,314 residents.

And just behind Flagler is its neighbor to the north, St. Johns, with 4.7% growth between 2021 and 2022.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flagler the third-fastest growing county in the fastest growing state