The population in Cullman County grew by approximately 3.8 percent from 2000-2010, according to preliminary U.S. Census data released Thursday.

The overall population in Cullman County increased from 77,483 in 2000 to 80,406 in 2010, marking an overall increase of 2,923 people.

Cullman County’s growth was below the state average of 7.5 percent, but ahead of surrounding counties Walker, Winston and Lawrence — which all showed minor drops in population. Neighboring county Morgan showed an increase comparable to Cullman, while Blount and Marshall counties saw gains of more than 10 percent.

Cullman County Commission chairman James Graves said that he is surprised that population growth totals were not higher.

“Cullman has continued to see a positive trend in growth over the past few years and I am pleased to see that we’re experiencing growth, and I dare-say much of it may have been in unincorporated portions of the county that will benefit from small growth,” he said. “It is good that we see population growth in Cullman County that we are able to handle without having to do massive expansions to programs and facilities throughout the county like we’ve seen happen over the years in St. Clair and Shelby counties.”

Graves said that a smaller percentage in population growth may be related to the industrial expansion over the years.

“Cullman has expanded and focused on recruiting industries that bring a labor and manufacturing type jobs to the county,” he said. “At the same time we have a number of young people and college kids who are looking for more research and technology jobs after they get degrees. So you have a healthy labor workforce throughout the county and another portion of the workforce that may be leaving the county in search of different opportunities which may have lowered our growth numbers a little bit.”

Culllman City mayor Max Townson said that any growth throughout the county is another indication of the need to complete the Duck River Dam project.