By Alabama Public Radio
Washington, D.C. – Alabama joined Louisiana and South Carolina as the only Southern states without a county listed in the 100 fastest growing counties in America. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Shelby was the fastest-growing county in the state during the past four years. Shelby County had a 15.6 percent growth rate. But that still wasn't enough to make the list of America's top 100. Alabama's overall growth rate of 1.9 percent was well below the national rate of 4.3 percent. And 42 of Alabama's 67 counties actually lost population in the last four years. Meanwhile, next door in Georgia, 18 counties are listed among the 100 fastest-growing in America.