Etowah and Calhoun Counties see drop in population

Etowah and Calhoun Counties have lost population since the 2010 census, according to the Census Bureau, with more deaths than births being a major factor.

According to figures released by the Census Bureau, the Gadsden metropolitan statistical area, which includes all of Etowah County, had an 896 drop in population between 2010 and 2014 down to 103,531.

Gadsden was one of three metro areas in the state that lost population during that period.

The Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville metro area had the greatest drop from 2010, losing 2.3 percent of its population. Gadsden ranks 344th in population of the country's 381 metropolitan areas in 2010 and in 2014 it ranked 346th.