Both Cherokee County municipalities saw increases in population during the past year, according to estimates recently made available by the U.S. Census Bureau.

From July 2007 to July 2008, Gaffney grew nearly 2 percent, raising its estimated population to 13,200. A previous estimate done last year by the Census Bureau found the city's population at 12,952, slightly below 2000 Census totals.

Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly said it's always good to know things are moving in a positive direction.

"It's a good thing to know," Jolly said. "I think the last time our population had decreased, so I'm very happy about it."

Jolly believes the city's quality of life and location have been keys in the increase.

"A lot of things go into why we're growing, but the main thing we've advertised is our location," Jolly said, "and our downtown revitalization project is definitely moving in the right direction."

Though not expecting any type of astronomical gains, Blacksburg Mayor David Hogue was pleased to learn four people chose to relocate to the town in the past year

"It's encouraging, especially because we're known more as a retirement town," Hogue said. "An increase means someone is staying and not leaving, which is good for us."

The town eclipsed the 1,900 mark in population according to the U.S. Census Bureau's recent estimates.

Hogue hopes by drawing businesses to the municipality, the town can help push it over 2,000.

"Once there were 2,000 people living here, I think it's been a century," Hogue said. "But it's a matter of attracting businesses. You have to be ready, and I think our town is in a good a situation to be that way."

Cherokee County surpassed the 54,000 mark in the latest estimate, nearly a 1 percent increase over the past year.

New industries and tourism are areas ripe for opportunity, Jolly said.

"New industries should be a place of emphasis with the economy in the shape it is in, but when you have two battlefields and the Gaffney Peachoid as selling points in your county, you have to take advantage of them," Jolly said.