CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- New information from the University of Virginia shows the state population is rapidly increasing. Projections show that by the year 2040, 10.5 million people could be living in the state.

Nearly half of that growth is expected to occur in the northern part of the state.

Director of Economic Development in the Cit of Staunton Bill Hamilton offered his ideas why the population is growing in Virginia.

“I think Virginia has a good reputation in the business world and population tends to follow jobs,” said Hamilton. “Our state is typically rated very highly by national rating services in terms of the business environment, the level of taxes and so forth.

In Harrisonburg, the population rose by nearly 1,200 people in the last year. Projections show that another 7,000 are expected by the year 2020.

The Valley could see a 9 percent rise in population over the next eight years. Close to 800,000 new residents in the state are expected by then.

In some areas of the state, like the Southwest, where more of the residents are older than in other parts of the country, population is expected to decrease.

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