By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The latest census numbers show the populations of all local towns and cities trickling upward but not as sharply as those in Iredell and Cabarrus counties.

Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released 2016 population estimates for cities and towns. Earlier this year, the bureau released county population estimates.

The 2016 numbers show that every Rowan County town or city has experienced growth from 2010 to 2016. The largest boosts in population were more than 1 percent. In the case of smaller towns, the growth is only a dozen or more new residents.

Kannapolis is a more nuanced case. Split between two counties, it’s an example of sharper growth rates in counties south and west of Rowan.

Between 2016 and 2016, the census estimates northern Kannapolis grew by 7 percent, which is higher than in any other municipality in Rowan County. Northern Kannapolis’ population was 9,433 in 2010, the census estimates. Last year, the population reached 10,146, according to the numbers released today.

Meanwhile, the most populated part of Kannapolis — in Cabarrus County — saw its population grow by 11.7 percent from 2010 to 2016.

As a whole, Kannapolis grew from 42,703 residents in the 2010 census estimates to 47,839 residents in 2016. It’s the fastest-growing municipality in Rowan County.

In 2010, the census estimated Salisbury’s population to be 33,504 people. The latest estimates show a 1.5 percent growth rate from 2010 to 2016, bringing the city’s population to 34,001.

From 2015 to 2016, Salisbury grew by 0.5 percent, according to Census data.

China Grove grew by an estimated 1.4 percent from 2010 to 2016, according to the new numbers. In 2010, its population was estimated at 4,157. The current population is estimated to be 4,216.

Faith actually ranks as the fastest-growing Rowan County town, according to census numbers. Between 2010 and 2016, its population increased by 1.5 percent, but the population fluctuated. In 2010, the census estimated Faith’s population to be 788 residents. In 2012, that number dipped to 785. Most recently, the census estimates Faith’s population to be 800.

Among adjacent counties, Cabarrus had the fastest-growing towns from 2010 to 2016. The census estimates that Concord gained 10,415 residents and Harrisburg gained nearly 2,000 residents during the period. Those increases represent 11.6 percent and 12.9 percent growth rates, respectively.

All of Iredell County’s towns and cities saw growth rates greater than 4 percent, according to the census numbers. Mooresville jumped from 33,650 estimated residents in 2010 to 36,543 in 2016, a 7.9 percent growth rate. Statesville grew from 24,548 residents to 26,506, a 7.4 percent growth rate.

The following are growth rates for towns in Rowan County from 2010 to 2016:

• China Grove: 1.4 percent

• Cleveland: 0.9 percent

• East Spencer: 0.6 percent

• Faith: 1.5 percent

• Granite Quarry: 1.3 percent

• Kannapolis: 10.7 percent

• Landis: 1.2 percent

• Rockwell: 1.2 percent

• Salisbury: 1.5 percent

• Spencer: 1.2 percent

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.