Butler County continued growing in 2012 at a time when many surrounding counties continue to lose population.

The county grew by 122 residents from July 2011 to July 2012, according to estimates recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Add that to the 986 people who moved to the county in the previous year, and the county has added 1,108 new residents since April 2010, when the official 10-year census was done.

The county’s total population now is at 184,970 people, which ranks 19th highest in the state.

Although the county only grew by a modest number this year, it avoided suffering the fate of several other surrounding counties that continue to bleed residents.

Of nearby counties, only Allegheny and Washington counties recorded growth. Allegheny County topped the list in Western Pennsylvania by adding nearly 6,000 residents.

In contrast, neighboring Beaver County lost nearly 300 people while Lawrence County lost more than 1,000 people.