FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Allen County’s growth is accelerating. In 2018, the county added a net 691 new residents via domestic migration, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. This is Allen County’s best single-year total since the Census Bureau began tracking net domestic migration in 1991.
Net domestic migration measures how many people moved into a community from other U.S. locales, versus how many moved away to other U.S. communities. This is the second consecutive year in which the county posted a positive net domestic migration number.
“The secret’s out: this is a community on the rise,” said John Urbahns, CEO of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. “Our quality of life continues to improve thanks to projects like Parkview Field, The Landing, riverfront development, the promising future of the Electric Works campus, and the upcoming improvements in our rural communities. Meanwhile, our cost of living ranks among the lowest in America for communities our size. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Today’s data shows a significant turnaround:
| Year | Net Domestic Migration Growth/Loss |
|---|---|
| 2012 | -1,057 |
| 2013 | -442 |
| 2014 | -674 |
| 2015 | -394 |
| 2016 | -424 |
| 2017 | +21 |
| 2018 | +691 |
“Our proactive efforts to make Fort Wayne and Allen County points of destination for businesses, families, and individuals are beginning to show in a positive way,” Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry said. “A collective commitment to providing unique quality-of-life amenities has positioned our community as a desirable location to build and grow a business, raise a family, and be part of strong and growing neighborhoods. By working together, our best days are ahead of us.”
“We are excited to see that these statistics bear out all of the efforts of Fort Wayne and Allen County over the last decade,” the Allen County Board of Commissioners said in a joint statement. “These numbers reflect that Fort Wayne, Allen County, and all of northeast Indiana have indeed become a place of attraction.”
“When companies look to grow and create jobs, they want to do so in communities where they can attract and retain a talented workforce,” said Ellen Cutter, VP of economic development at GFW Inc. “These numbers show that Allen County is a magnet for talent.”
Overall, Allen County’s population grew by 3,141 in 2018. That number includes net domestic migration as well as natural population change (births minus deaths) and net international migration.
About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. serves Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana, as its metro chamber alliance and primary point of contact for economic growth. GFW Inc. focuses on prosperity and community vibrancy through economic development, advocacy, programs and resources that support business success, leadership development, graduate retention and community engagement. In 2018, GFW Inc. assisted 33 businesses in expansions or relocations in Allen County, resulting in a total of 2,445 projected new jobs, $115 million in new annual payroll, and more than $336 million in new investment.
