While population growth in Virginia outpaced the nation, in Gloucester and Mathews the numbers either stayed static or decreased, according to the most recent official annual population estimates for the state developed by demographers from the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.

Virginia’s population grew by 2.3 percent, to nearly 8.2 million residents, between the 2010 census and July 1, 2012, according to the center’s estimates. During this period, the nation’s population grew by 1.7 percent.

Compared to other states, Virginia posted the 13th-highest growth rate and the sixth-largest numerical population gain. But numbers weren’t on the rise everywhere.

Mathews numbers fall

Mathews County was among the 26 localities showing an overall net loss in population between 2010 and 2012. According to the estimates, Mathews lost a little over 1 percent of its 2010 population (95 people), from 8,978 in the 2010 census to 8,...