Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx Lead NY State in Population Growth

Photo courtesy of Nick Amoscato

NEW YORK CITY, NY — Kings County was the second fastest-growing county in New York State last year, according to census figures released by Mayor Bill de Blasio's office Thursday, coming in second only to Queens and one notch ahead of the Bronx.

New York City's population grew by about 55,000 people in the past 12 measured months, hitting an all-time high of about 8.5 million by July, according to the numbers — and 84 percent of that growth was in its leading three boroughs.

Between April 2010 and July 2015, Brooklyn led the city in growth, swelling its ranks by 132,035 souls, or 5.3 percent.

At the end of that period, Brooklyn's population stood at 2.64 million, which would make it the fourth largest city in America.

De Blasio used the news to pitch the necessity of his new affordable housing plan and infrastructure projects like the Brooklyn Queens Connector Streetcar and Citywide Ferry Service.

The city hasn't grown this fast since the 1920s, the mayor said. It's population is expected to surpass 9 million residents by 2040.