DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The latest U.S. Census estimates show the Des Moines metro area is growing quickly while most Iowa counties have declining populations. According to data released Thursday, the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area population reached an estimated 611,549, up 7.4 percent from the 2010 U.S. Census. The majority of Iowa counties, however, saw declines, as only 31 of 99 experienced an uptick.

The data show Dallas County had a 17 percent increase, the largest among Iowa counties. The biggest decline was in Fremont County, where population dropped 5.6 percent. All of Iowa’s nine metro areas saw growth. The Iowa City metro led the pack, up 7.7 percent since 2010. Gary Krob, coordinator of the State Data Center, says having growth across Iowa rather than concentrated in one area is promising.