Lawrence Countians gained more than 200 new neighbors in the past three years, according to estimates recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The county as a whole was projected to have increased by 231 people - from 62,319 in 2000 to 62,550 in 2003. Most of the townships, villages and the county seat, Ironton, were estimated to have increased in population.

The estimates are based on 2000 census population counts and are updated through July 1, 2003, using administrative records provided by the communities. The estimates are not concrete and may change significantly by the next full Census survey in 2010.

For economic development leaders such as Dr. Bill Dingus, executive director of the county's chamber of commerce and the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation, this data is a welcome sign that the county may be headed in the right direction.

"A lot of communities are going down in population," Dingus said. "So it is encouraging to see us at least holding our own."

"This is very positive. I think it says there is a good feeling about the quality of life here. … People don't stay if there is not a good feeling in the community and a good feeling that there is a future for them here."

Usually jobs make population growth happen, and though the manufacturing jobs that many hoped for have not come, the region has stabilized some economically, Dingus said.

The village of South Point showed the highest increase by far growing by 89 people, from 3,742 people in 2000 to an estimated 3,831 last July.

South Point Mayor Bill Gaskin welcomed the news, though he joked that he is not sure if the village has room to put them.

"I am glad to hear that Lawrence County is coming along a little bit," he said. "I am also glad South Point is among the leaders of that."

Coal Grove showed the second highest increase with 29 people, from 2,027 in 2000 to 2,056 last year.

Ironton grew by 19 people, according to the data. In 2000, Ironton had 11,211 people and is now projected to have 11,230.

Mayor John Elam said he hopes that this can continue and that the county can continue to bring jobs to go with the new residents.

"I think that Ironton and southern Ohio are well positioned for growth. It is encouraging to me that the declining population is reversing," Elam said. "Hopefully, the secret is out that southern Ohio is a wonderful place to live and work. We are open for business."

The village of Chesapeake grew from 842 to 856, Hanging Rock grew from 279 to 288. However, Proctorville showed a decrease from 620 to 615.

Nearly all of the 14 townships showed an increase. Surprisingly to many, Rome Township was projected to have decreased by 18 people. Dingus said he believes that the statistics

could have been skewed by the Chesapeake Bypass relocation and flood mitigation efforts that took place in the past three years on the eastern end of the county.

On a national level, New York City continued to be the nation's most populated city with 8.1 million residents. Los Angeles, the second most populous at 3.8 million, had the largest population increase, adding 125,209 people since 2000.