The city of Georgetown was named the fastest-growing city with a population of 50,000 or more in the U.S., according to U.S. Census Bureau data released May 19.[/caption]

About 12.6 people a day moved to Georgetown between July 2014 and July 2015, according to data released May 19 by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The nearly 8 percent population growth makes Georgetown the fastest-growing city with a population of 50,000 or more in the United States, according to the data.

“I don’t think it’s any surprise,” said Karen Sheldon, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce president. “We’ve seen continued growth over the past couple of years.”

Georgetown grew by more than 4,600 people to an estimated population of 63,716, according to the data.

“Our quality growth has been guided and managed so that we have not lost our small town charm,” Mayor Dale Ross said in a statement. “We have successfully built a bridge between the past and future which has allowed Georgetown to become the best city in the United States to live, work, play, raise kids, and retire.”

Georgetown is one of five of the fastest-growing cities in Texas. The list also includes Frisco, New Braunfels, Pearland and Pflugerville.

Sheldon said the growth means better opportunities for residents, including increased retail options and commercial growth for the city, which could lead to additional sales tax revenue for the city.

“From the chamber’s perspective, it’s nothing but positive,” she said. “It reinforces the notion that Georgetown is a great place to do business.”

According to the census, Georgetown added 16,316 residents with a growth rate of 34 percent between 2010 to 2015.

Sheldon said in 2002 the chamber recognized the city’s potential to be a city with a population of 100,000 when the chamber’s board adopted the 100,000 initiative.

“We’ve been preparing for this for a long time, and it’s coming to fruition,” she said. “Our forefathers had the foresight to realize that because we love this place others are going to, and boy here they come.”

The Austin-Round Rock metro area also increased to a population of more than 2 million for the first time, according to the data.