There’s a new city in Cullman County.

Officially.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census numbers recently released, Good Hope has seen 15.2 percent growth during the past decade, giving the municipality a population of 2,264.

The growth officially changes Good Hope’s municipal label from town to city. In Alabama, according to Section 11 of the state legal code, a municipality is recognized as a city once its census-counted population surpasses 2,000 residents.

Good Hope had a population of 1,966, according to the last Census in 2000. Cullman and Hanceville are the only other cities located in Cullman County, which has a population of more than 70,000.

“That’s significant growth,” Good Hope Mayor Corey Harbison said. “It shows that Good Hope is growing and this is a place where people want to live.”

What does the new label mean for Good Hope?

Legally? Well, not much.

According to the city’s attorney, Rita Nicholas, the only changes required by law is that Good Hope will have to form a new city seal and the city council now has to meet twice a monthly instead of once.

As for potential? Harbison sees plenty of opportunities for the budding municipality.