Franklin County continues to grow at a slower rate than its six adjacent counties.
According to population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2008, the population of Franklin County increased 2.5 percent " from 47,687 to 48,844 between April of 2007 to April of 2008.
The state average during that time period was 5.6 percent.
Almost all the adjacent counties grew at a rate at or above the state average, including
>Scott County grew 34.7 percent from 33,061 to 44,54
>Shelby County, 23.5 percent from 33,337 to 41,15
>Anderson County, 11.7 percent from 19,111 to 21,34
>Owen County, 8.4 percent from 10,547 to 11,43
>Woodford county, 5.7 percent from 23,208 to 24,52
>Henry County, 4.5 percent from 15,060 to 15,741
Scott and Shelby counties were among the fastest growing in the state " ranked second and fourth respectively.
Other top-ranked communities include Spencer County, which grew from 5,616 in 2000 to 11,766 in 2008 - 47.7 percent. It was the fastest growing county in the commonwealth and is located near Jefferson County.
Boone County was ranked third, with 34 percent, and Oldham County fifth with 23 percent.
A number of rural counties in eastern Kentucky experienced a population loss, including Harlan County " 7.3 percent - and Clay County - 9 percent.