Chilton County’s population continues to grow at a slow but steady pace—mostly due to natural increase.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s recently released population estimates for counties across the country, 43,931 called Chilton County home in 2014.

The estimate is an increase of about 100 residents, or 0.2 percent, over the 2013 estimate (43,836).

The county’s 2014 population estimate is an increase of about 300 residents, or 0.7 percent, over the 2010 Census numbers.

Chilton County ranks 29th out of 67 counties in the state in population, just behind Dale County and just ahead of neighboring Dallas County.

The most populous county in Alabama is Jefferson, with 660,793 residents. Mobile County (415,123) and Madison County (350,299) round out the top three.

Since the 2010 Census, Chilton County ranks 19th in the state in percentage of growth.

Russell County experienced the most growth from 2010 to 2014 (12.6 percent), followed by Lee County (9.9 percent).

The numbers show the growth is mostly a result of natural increase instead of migration.

Since 2010, there have been 2,387 births and 2,053 deaths of Chilton County residents, which accounts for all of the growth in that time period.

In fact, the county’s migration is a net minus-37 in four years.

However, the county could be experiencing the start of a new trend, as migration from 2013 to 2014 totaled 25 residents (19 international and six domestic), along with a natural increase of 92.

The Census Bureau develops county, metro area, and micro area population estimates by measuring population change since the most recent census.

In the coming months, the Census Bureau will release 2014 population estimates of cities and towns, as well as national, state and county population estimates by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin.

The Census Bureau uses births, deaths, administrative records and survey data to develop estimates of population.