Recently released data from the US Census shows that the population of the 9-county Rural Capital Area reached 853,200 on July 1, 2012. Williamson County remains the largest community, with 456,000 persons. Hays is the second-largest county, with 169,000 persons, followed by Bastrop with 75,000.

Two counties registered as the fastest growing in the region from 2011-2012: both Hays and Williamson grew 3.2%. Three other counties registered growth at or above the US average: Blanco, Caldwell, and Llano counties. Three counties lost population: Bastrop, Fayette, and Lee.

Overall, population growth in the Rural Capital Area has slowed slightly. The region grew 2.3% from 2011-2012, its slowest growth rate in decades. Just 19,400 new people were added to the region in 2012. The primary cause of this slowdown is a slight decline in people moving into the region.