Rowan County’s most significant question hasn’t been solved since it was first asked. Perhaps it’s invalid.

When will growth from Charlotte lap over our southern shores, boosting economic growth into another dimension? The answer isn’t quite as clear as the question makes it seem.

There’s no doubt North Carolina is growing at a rate that’s among the nation’s fastest. Recently released numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show North Carolina as breaching the 10-million-person population mark. The census estimates make North Carolina one of nine states with more than 10 million people. Since 2014, census estimates show North Carolina has added about 102,000 people, a figure surpassed by only five other states — Texas, Florida, California, Georgia and Washington.  A further analysis of recent figures, or even just comparing recent photos to historical images, shows Charlotte and Raleigh as the fastest growing areas in the state.

For comparison, North Carolina’s total population just reached half of the New York City metropolitan area.

But, when will Rowan County gets its shot at growth? When will housing developments start sprouting up like wildflowers? When will jobs become so bountiful our population won’t suffice as a workforce?

The answer is probably never. Growth isn’t going to shoot into the stratosphere unless our leaders begin to make it happen. That means  more than elected officials, who have talked about growth for years now. Business leaders and ordinary citizens have to accept their role in the growth puzzle.

Throughout its history, Rowan County’s growth has been fairly steady. For example, our population in 1990 was about 110,600, according to census estimates. We sit at about 138,000 now. In the same period Cabarrus County has gone from about 100,000 to 192,100. In 1990, Iredell County sat at about 92,900 and now tops Rowan County at close to 159,400 people.

Rowan County’s growth rate during the most recent census statistics is 1 percent; Cabarrus and Iredell have much higher growth rates.

Like every other jealously filled comparison to our southern and western neighbors, looking at Cabarrus and Iredell for how Rowan should behave is unfair for one simple reason. They’re both noticeably closer to the center of Charlotte. When a major city begins to grow, It usually happens at its immediate borders. Rowan County is lumped into the Charlotte metro area, but clearly isn’t at the city’s borders.

Our growth and population pattern, however, is similar to Cabarrus in many ways. A majority of Rowan County’s population lives in its southern region. Sure Salisbury and its immediate municipal neighbors make up the largest incorporated areas. More people, however, live below North Carolina Highway 152. That could be a result of growth from Charlotte, but it’s unlikely to be the only reason. Cannon Mills was a huge employer, and it makes sense that the surrounding areas would be where workers lived.

Growth from Charlotte could come, but internal development is best. Internal development in this instance simply means doing work to recruit new residents and business. It’s easier for Cabarrus County because of proximity to Mecklenburg. In the 21st century, cities are growing fast. Rural areas are losing population. It’s a brain drain in many instances. A majority of young, educated millennials would rather live in a metropolitan area than move back home after graduation.

Rowan County is sandwiched between the Charlotte and Piedmont Triad metro areas. It’s faster to get to Charlotte, but realistically, we’re about in the middle. By using the best resources from both metropolitan areas, Rowan County will make its growth easier to achieve.

County commissioners formed their marching orders shortly after the latest crew was elected and seem to be the group that’s most focused on economic development. The latest part of that effort is to use a third-party recruiter — Triad Commercial Properties — to fill up new speculatory buildings. Commissioners’ primary focus, for now, is on an industrial park in Granite Quarry.

Just recently, a new retail complex and manufacturing business opened in the Julian Road area. The retail complex is more important for what it adds to quality of life rather than the quality of jobs. The manufacturing business provides solid jobs, which will boost quality of life in the long term. If the effort in Granite Quarry is successful, it would seem that business growth is occurring just outside Salisbury’s southern city limits. People have to come with that growth. And, we’ve yet to see significant population growth

If efforts by county commissioners succeed, the most important question isn’t when growth will lap over our shores. Instead, the question is how big Rowan should become. Life in areas such as the more heavily populated parts of Cabarrus and Mecklenburg County is significantly different than the slower, relaxed pace common in Rowan.

Josh Bergeron covers politics, county government and the environment for the Salisbury Post.