The population in South Central Indiana increased by more than 5.5%, according to the results of the 2020 census.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported the 10-county region now has a population of 509,665, up from 482,480 in the 2010 census. The State of Indiana saw growth of 4.7% to 6.79 million residents.

Eight of South Central Indiana’s counties saw a growth increase, led by Clark County, which enjoyed a 9.8% increase and is the region’s largest county with a population of 121,093. Jackson (+9.6%), Floyd (+7.9%) and Bartholomew (+7.1%) counties also outpaced state growth.

The significance of the growth shown in South Central Indiana is noted in that more than half of Indiana’s 92 counties (49) lost population in the 2020 census, meaning 8 of the 43 counties gaining population are located in the region.