Butler County's population continues to grow in contrast to other counties in the region that are losing residents.

The county's population was estimated at 186,818 as of July 1, 2015, an increase of 432 from the previous year, according to a report of the U.S. Census Bureau.

In 2010, when the last census was done, the county's population was 183,862, meaning it has increased by 1.6 percent in the past five years.

Stan Kosciuszko, president of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, said that Butler County is an attractive place for people to move to for multiple reasons.

“Housing is cheaper. Taxes are lower than the surrounding counties, and we have different amenities such as cultural institutions, outdoor activities, golf courses and Moraine State Park,” he said.

Elsewhere in Western Pennsylvania, counties have seen continued decreases in their populations.

Allegheny County peaked in 2013 with 1.234 million, but has decreased in the past two years to 1.230 million.

Beaver County decreased by 533 in the past year to 168,871.

Armstrong, Westmoreland, Venango, Lawrence and Mercer counties all continued to have decreasing populations.

Clarion County, which has decreased by fewer than 500 people since 2010, had an estimated increase of 70 in the past year.