Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
The Kaufman County Justice Center which opened in November 2022 was the result of tremendous growth within the County. Most of the judical offices have moved from the downtown Kaufman Annex and Courthouse building to the new justice center building by the beginning of the new year. 

KAUFMAN COUNTY–According to newly– released population estimates, Kaufman County can now be called the fastest growing county in the United States. 
The county houses four of the 30–plus cities in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex that are growing quickly and made The Dallas Morning News list in their recent Boomtown series which featured home builders in Mabank. Among the four cities exhibiting fast growth are Mabank, Quinlan, Forney and Terrell. 
According to one-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Kaufman County is growing faster than any other county in the nation. 
While the new data shows positive growth across North Texas as a whole, Kaufman County saw an 18% boost in population between 2019 and 2021, which is the most of seven Dallas/Ft. Worth counties. 
The population has grown by over 21,000 residents in that time frame according to Census estimates but it’s also seen the diversity rise. 
Director of the Texas Demographic Center Lloyd Potter told the Dallas Morning News, “We’re seeing tremendous growth in all of the counties surrounding Dallas. These counties are largely growing because there’s economic opportunity, meaning that we’re growing jobs in Texas.”
According to the analysis, Kaufman’s population grew from 118,350 residents to 140,145 residents during 2019 to 2021. This analysis does not reflect the growth of 2022. 
Kaufman County’s Economic Development Coordinator Donna Simmons says she believes the growth resulted from people being attracted to moving out to the country but also wanting a commutable drive into Dallas.  
“They see the opportunity to come to the east because it’s much cheaper right now than going north,” Simmons said.
Kaufman County which encompasses 800 square miles has seen over 30,000 new homes being built or in the development stages. If you estimate four people per household, the county is making preparations for an increase in population of 120,000 or more people in the next 18 months according to Simmons. 
Area school districts have estimated the growth to include as much as 20,000 students within the next decade, some districts even going as far as having bond elections to begin construction on more facilities in anticipation of this growth. 
In researching for The Monitor’s own area growth stories, our reporters interviewed area realtors and city administrators. In 2021 Mabank City Administrator Bryant Morris told The Monitor that, “We pride ourselves on being developer friendly and welcoming new citizens to our community. As of April 2021, Fiscal Year we have issued 154 residential permits,” Morris said, then continued, “With academic excellence and numerous educational opportunities, Mabank Independent School District also plays an integral role in the growth of the City of Mabank.”
In fact, the real estate market was so hot in the summer of 2021 that area realtor, Terri Gregory told The Monitor, “We have a very big influx of people coming here and not enough inventory,” said Gregory. She continued stating, “We’re selling things when the slab’s being poured.” Waterfront homes are most popular, as is farmhouse-style construction, Gregory said. At the time, Gregory reported that well kept properties were getting anywhere from five to 15 offers within days and typically getting above list price. “The market’s insane,” Gregory concluded.
By the summer of 2022, the real estate market was still just as hot. Ebby Halliday-Cedar Creek Lake Realtor Janna Pearman says, “It’s definitely a seller’s market and will remain that way with buyers placing high offers or even entering into a bidding war to win their dream home and they move quickly with their offers because they know the competition is fierce.”
While new home builders are running into rising construction costs, existing homes are still selling quickly. Pearman also stated in 2022 that the interest in “off the grid” living is rising. People are seeking options for space to get away from the hustle and bustle of life Pearman explained. COVID taught us a lot of things and among them was prioritizing exactly what kind of space gives people that “home sweet home” feeling. 
Pearman accounts some of the growth from out-of-state buyers are attributed to Texas’s economy. “We have a strong economy, no state income tax, an affordable cost of living compared to a lot of other states, booming job market, business-friendly and I could go on and on about our beautiful state and especially East Texas and all we have to offer,” stated Pearman.