With a 10.7 percent gain population between 2004 and 2005, Flagler County, Florida was, for the second year in a row, the fasting-growing county in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau population estimates released on March 16. Of the top ten fastest-growing counties, only Kendall County, Illinois – coming in third on the list, with a 9.4 percent increase – is located in the Midwest, while the other nine are in either the South or West.

Among the booming counties in the west, Maricopa County, Arizona had the largest numerical increase in population, gaining 137,000 new residents between 2004 and 2005. Los Angeles County, California remains the most populous county in the nation.