Baldwin County Is Nation’s 10th-Fastest-Growing Metro

The Daphne-Fairhope-Foley metro is outpacing communities across the county. From 2022 to 2023, it was the 10th-fastest growing metro in the nation, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, AL.com reports. Baldwin County added nearly 7,000 people from 2022 to 2023, growing by 2.8%. The county now is home to 253,507 people. Its population has been surging for years—up nearly 40% since 2010, per census data. There have, however, been challenges to the growth in the fifth-most-populous and second-fastest-growing county in the state. Communities are updating infrastructure, constructing amenities and introducing ordinances that attempt to slow heavy development. Members of the Baldwin County Commission say they have been working to stay on top of growth by implementing a strategic plan for the county. “Baldwin County has so much to offer. Over 8 million visitors a year come to Baldwin County to enjoy our beaches, malls, restaurants, golf courses and small-town atmosphere,” Commissioner Matt McKenzie said. “In my opinion, this is concrete evidence that Baldwin County is a desirable place to live. Many times, visitors become lifelong residents.”