It is news ”“ but it won’t likely be a surprise. York County is the second fastest growing county, as measured by population, in the Pine Tree State after its near neighbor, Cumberland County.

That information, however, should be tempered by the numbers. Neither Cumberland nor York county’s population grew by a full percentage point between July 1, 2013 and July 1, 2014. according to the U.S. Census, which released its estimates Thursday. They show York County’s population grew by .62 percent during the one”“year period. Cumberland County’s population growth was .67 percent, followed by Knox County at .22 percent.

The good news, said Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission director Paul Schumacher, whose agency keeps an eye on such numbers, is that there was growth.

“We’re growing, but it’s not robust,” said Schumacher. “I think it’s important we grow and encourage smart growth.”

York County gained 1,247 people to a population of 200,710 as of July 1, 2014, according to the U.S. Census. Cumberland County’s population rose by 1,931 people, to 287,797. Oxford County, which borders the northernmost part of York County, saw its population decrease by .1 percent, or by 52 people, to 57,238.

On the opposite end of the scale, Somerset County lost 1 percent of its population, and Maine’s easternmost county, Washington County, lost 1.2 percent of its population during the same period. Somerset now has an estimated population of 51,163 people, while Washington County’s population has dropped to 31,808.

Which municipalities grew within York County won’t be released by the census bureau until this summer, said Alexandra S. Barker, of the bureau’s data dissemination branch.

In the meantime, Schumacher said he suspects much of the growth will be found to be centered toward the south coast, east of the turnpike, though other communities where there are signs of commercial expansion may also reveal population spikes.

One measure of growth may be found in the number of building permits issued for new dwelling units in the municipalities across York County. Figures from 2010 through 2013 prepared by SMPDC show the municipality with the most is Wells, with 502 over the four-year period, with Saco, at 275, coming in second. Saco’s near neighbor, Biddeford, had 90 dwelling unit permits over the same four years, just two more than rural Acton, with 88. Sanford had 99, Kennebunk had 174 over and Old Orchard Beach, 121.

In Wells, town planner Michael Livingston said land and home prices in Wells are a bit less expensive than similar parcels and homes in Kennebunk, York and Ogunquit and that, combined with a robust commercial sector contributing to the mix, helps keep taxes balanced. Livingston said some of the new dwellings are second homes, built by folks who have sampled Wells’ seasonal cottages that have a six-month residency limit, and decide they’re looking for a second four”“season home.

While more information will be released by the census bureau over time, what has been released so far shows that from July 1, 2013 to July 1. 2014, births outpaced deaths by 54 ”“ there were 1,879 people born in that time frame, and 1,825 people died. As well, net migration figures show 1,027 people moved to the county from within the United States, while 81 people from other countries moved here.

Information gleaned from forecasts prepared for SMPDC show the median age of a York County resident was 43.1 in 2011 and is forecast to be eight months older in 2016 ”“ 43.9. 

Among the forecasts of each of the county’s 29 municipalities are the adjacent towns of Alfred and Waterboro. The median age of a Waterboro resident is forecast to be 36.7 while the median age of an Alfred resident is pegged at 51.8 years old.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324”“4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282”“1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].