Elmore County has been growing steadily, and the change is becoming easier to see. New homes are going up, businesses are expanding and communities such as Wetumpka are attracting people who want more space and a smaller-community feel without giving up convenient access to the Montgomery area. The latest U.S. Census Bureau estimate puts the county's population at 91,577, up from roughly 88,000 in 2020.
Housing is one visible sign of that growth. New residential communities are being developed across the county, with options ranging from townhomes to single-family homes. The Elmore County Economic Development Authority has pointed to demand from families, first-time homebuyers and retirees as part of what's driving new construction. At the same time, commercial development is following the population, bringing additional businesses, services and jobs closer to where people live.
Quality of life is another part of the story. Communities throughout Elmore County have invested in parks, recreation facilities, athletic venues, boat ramps and public spaces. Wetumpka has also continued its downtown transformation. At a September community meeting, city leaders reported that downtown occupancy had risen from roughly 70% in 2016 to 94%, giving residents more restaurants, shops and local businesses to enjoy close to home.
Location matters too. Elmore County offers residents the opportunity to live outside Montgomery while remaining connected to jobs, schools, shopping and services throughout the metropolitan area. The average commute for county residents is about 28 minutes, according to Census Bureau data. That makes transportation infrastructure an important part of the region's continued growth.
For more than three decades, the Emerald Mountain Expressway has been part of that connection. Opened in 1994, the Expressway provides a direct route connecting Elmore County and Wetumpka with the Montgomery metropolitan area. As more people choose to make Elmore County home, convenient connections between the communities where people live and the places they work, shop and spend their time become increasingly important.
