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Cities in Butler and Warren counties are leading the growth in the region, with Monroe at the top of the list, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The city of Monroe was by far the biggest people-gainer. The city of nearly 12,000 residents has grown by almost two-thirds, or 4,735 people, since 2000, according to the annual estimates to be released Thursday, July 10. Springboro gained about 4,800 residents in the decade — a 39 percent increase; followed by Mason, Trenton, Lebanon, Carlisle and Franklin.

Middletown was 22nd on the list, but did show a slight increase of 0.5 percent from 2006 to 2007, with a population of 51,303. Hamilton ranked 12th, with an 0.8 percent increase to 62,285.

Monroe Mayor Robert Routson attributed his city's growth to its proximity to Interstate 75 and its well-regarded school system. But growth can have its drawbacks, he said.

"The biggest thing about that growth is that you have to provide more services, and that puts more of a burden on the city," which grew 6 percent, or from 11,171 to 11,870, between 2006 and 2007, figures show.

Despite demand, economics may have slowed the rate of the city's growth, with new housing construction down.

"Right now, if you're building something, it's going to be sold," he said.

Housing starts also have dropped signifantly in Trenton — which saw a population increase from 10,625 to 10,782 between 2006 and 2007 — said Megan Statt, zoning administrator.

So far this year, there have been 16 housing starts that were into the three-digit range just three years ago.

Still, she said, the city's comprehensive plan is to account for more growth, with a particular focus on business development.

Hamilton Mayor Don Ryan said the city's population increase is a good indicator the city's strategy to make Hamilton a place for people to live and work is making headway through efforts to revitalize its downtown and riverfront while still concentrating on its business districts.

"We're drawing the smaller businesses, which are the backbones of any city and now were getting people to live in our city," he said.

By contrast, Dayton continued its decadeslong population slide. Dayton ranked sixth-worst among large U.S. cities in percent population decline, losing an estimated 10,749 people, or 6.5 percent of its population, since 2000.

Staff Writers Ken McCall and Joshua Rinaldi contributed to this story.