We're Number 10!

Top 10 Counties in Annual Percent Growth: July 1, to July 1, 2023

Resident Population of 20,000 or more in 2022 and 2023

Rank	State	County	April 1, 2020 (Estimates Base)	July 1, 2022	July 1, 2023	Percent Growth
1	Texas	Kaufman County	145,307	172,611	185,690	7.6%
2	Texas	Rockwall County	107,844	123,342	131,307	6.5%
3	Texas	Liberty County	91,631	102,462	108,272	5.7%
4	Georgia	Jackson County	75,912	84,009	88,615	5.5%
5	Georgia	Dawson County	26,796	30,189	31,732	5.1%
6	Texas	Chambers County	46,562	51,309	53,876	5.0%
7	Texas	Comal County	161,493	184,749	193,928	5.0%
8	Texas	Ellis County	192,445	212,323	222,829	4.9%
9	South Carolina	Jasper County	28,810	31,986	33,544	4.9%
10	Virginia	New Kent County	22,944	24,952	26,134	4.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 Population Estimates.

 

-More Counties Saw Population Gains in 2023
March 14, 2024

Press Release Number CB24-44

Do You Know Where You Live?

According  to New Kent County's New Kent County Comprehensive Plan (adopted October 2012), besides the more typically rural features as "Woodlands" and "Farm Clusters" there also exists in the county . . .

"Villages,""Hamlets," and "Rural Crossroads"

Villages 

Villages are characterized by a mix of structures and uses, including residential, commercial and institutional. They are typically compact in size and pedestrian oriented.

They have historically functioned as social centers.  

Hamlets 

Hamlets are characterized by a tight cluster of houses, often with small commercial establishments such as general stores, restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, etc.They typically occur at rural crossroads and serve a local population.

Rural Crossroads 

Rural Crossroads are characterized by a tight cluster of small commercial establishments such as general stores, banks, restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, etc. They typically occur at intersections and serve a local population.

. . .

Villages- Bottom's Bridge, Providence Forge, New Kent Courthouse, and  Eltham.

Hamlets- Lanexa, Barhamsville.

Rural Crossroads- Davis Crossroads, Quinton (or Crump's Corner[Crossroads]), Carp's Corner(Cary's Corner), Angelview, Jackass Flats(corresponding to the intersection of Rt. 60 and Rockahock Rd.)

You will notice the principle difference between the list of Hamlets and Rural Crossroads is the  (unmentioned in the plan) presence or lack of a post office.

The previous plan Comprehensive Plan 2020 (adopted April 2003)  had only two features in the  "built up" category, "Villages",and "Hamlets," defined as . . .

 ". . . villages at Providence Forge, Lanexa, Barhamsville, Eltham and New Kent Courthouse and scattered hamlets and crossroads."

From Wikipedia some further thoughts on "settlement hierarchy."

UPDATE: I have included a link to the map from the most recent comprehensive plan which color codes the labels of the existing "settlements." The map however does not list the names of the locations. I also added New Kent Courthouse to the village list, from where it had dropped during editing.