Some may say Census numbers released last week show Butler County growing at what they consider “a turtle's pace.”

But when you zoom out to look at Pennsylvania as a whole — this county is a bit of an anomaly compared to surrounding counties.

In fact, in a sea of steady population decline, Butler County is the one shining bright spot in all of Western Pennsylvania. Growing to just north of 186,500 residents in 2018, this 1.5 percent population increase over the 2010 U.S. Census seems small for some.

This is especially true given it's the lowest, slowest growth the county has seen since it's inception in 1800.

It might seem easy to take that sort of “glass half empty” view.

But let's flip that view on its head and take a “glass half full” approach to what some would be quick to call a problem.

Other than Allegheny County, which has held relatively steady over the last decade, every other neighboring county has seen significant decreases in their population.

Just look at Lawrence County to our west — a drop of nearly 5,000 since 2010. Or Mercer to the northwest, or Beaver to the southwest — both of which show drops of about 6,000 residents over the last 10 years.

In fact, as of earlier this year, Butler County was the ONLY county in Western Pennsylvania to see any kind of growth as we approach the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census.

So, looking at this statistic through that “glass half full” lens, that means our county, its leaders and its people are doing something right.

And for those who are quick to argue all that growth is just in Cranberry Township, Adams Township also saw a 15 percent growth, as did small boroughs like Saxonburg.

Even Slippery Rock Township — home to SRU and a growing small business community — saw a 14 percent jump since the last time the bean counters came around.

As the county's business, civic, health care, education, industry and community leaders look to the next 25 years, they are strategically planning and collaborating to ensure this growth — while slow for some — is steady, systematic and, most importantly, sustainable.

So sure, we'll gladly take the “turtle's pace” over the “hare's pace” seen in communities out there growing and booming like weeds.

Remember — it's the turtle that ultimately wins the race and prevails in the long run.