It might not surprise anyone to learn which area of Adams County has grown over the past 10 years. According to Census figures released last week, the southeastern part of the county – south of U.S. 61/84 and east of U.S. 61 South – gained more than 300 people since the last census.

It was the only area of Adams County to grow in population in the past decade. Overall, the county population dropped by just more than 1,000 people.

The U.S. Census Bureau divides each county into tracts, then subdivides those tracts into blocks. The tracts are determined by obvious geographic boundaries such as major roads or waterways.

The tract boundaries changed little between the 1990 Census and the 2000 Census, said Natchez assistant city planner Gretchen Kuechler, who worked as a liaison for the city and the Census Bureau.

Any changes involved just a few dwelling units, Kuechler said.

According to the Census figures, several areas of Adams County experienced negligible changes in population, but the Morgantown area – north of U.S. 84/61, south of Mississippi 554 and east of Mississippi 555 – showed the greatest decrease in population, with 403 fewer people.

The southeastern part of the county, on the other hand, showed the most growth.

&uot;It doesn’t surprise me because for new construction, it’s a desirable area,&uot; said Realtor Jane Kingsafer. &uot;It’s a growing and obviously popular area. For one thing, it’s good for those interested in living near a golf course. It’s like living out in the country, but you have neighbors close by, and it’s not too far from town.

&uot;And having restrictive covenants will maintain … your property value.&uot;

Adams County Board of Supervisors President Sammy Cauthen also said he was not surprised by the growth in that area.

The board will now have to examine official Census figures to determine whether district lines must be redrawn, Cauthen said.

If the population in any supervisory district has grown by 5 percent or lessened by 5 percent, the county has to redistrict, Cauthen said.