Chase County among few western counties to show growth

Chase County ranks among just eight counties west of Kearney that showed growth in the latest census estimates when compared to the 2010 census.
    The U.S. Census Bureau released 2017 county population estimates for the U.S. last week.
    From July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017, Chase County showed a growth of 17 people.
    Over the last decade, that represents a growth of 5 people since the 2010 census.
    Census researcher David Drozd of Omaha, said that ranks Chase County among only 30 of 93 counties that have shown growth so far in this decade.
    Drozd serves as the research coordinator for the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
    Drozd said eight of the 33 counties have shown growth of five percent or more so far this decade. These include the likely suspects of Douglas, Sarpy and Lancaster, which encompass the Omaha and Lincoln metro areas.
    Buffalo County, which includes Kearney, and Hall County, which includes Grand Island, exceeded 5 percent growth.
    Three less-populated western counties—Thomas, Grant and Banner—have shown growth during the decade as well.
To read the full story, subscribe to the e-edition online or call the Breeze at 308-394-5389 to subscribe to the print edition