The Richmond area continues to be the fastest-growing part of Virginia, per an Axios analysis of the latest census data.

Why it matters: This zoomed-in view offers a close look at population change within the commonwealth.

By the numbers: New Kent County topped Virginia's growth (adding 14.4% people in 2019-2023 compared to 2014-2018), according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019-2023 five-year American Community Survey.

• Goochland took the No. 2 spot for the fastest-growing county in the state (+13.9%).
• That translates into just over 3,000 people who moved into New Kent in that period and just over 3,100 into Goochland.

Zoom in: In the metro area, Chesterfield came in highest on the statewide list, ranking at No. 10 for population growth, adding about 32,000 new residents to the county in that four-year period, or +9.5%.

• Hanover ranked at No. 17, with 6.9% growth.
• Henrico, No. 52 (+2.7%)
• Richmond city, No. 62 (+1.7%)

Of note: Around 50 localities in Virginia, nearly all in Southwest Virginia, lost population between 2019 and 2023.

Zoom out: Three Texas counties — Kaufman County (+35.2% more people in 2019-2023 compared to 2014-2018), Comal County (+29.2%) and Hays County (+25.6%) — are the country's fastest-growing counties with more than 100,000 residents.

Between the lines: Although Americans sometimes relocate domestically in search of better jobs, lower costs and so on, international migration is the main driver behind population growth at the national level.

What's next: Population trends could be notably affected by President-elect Trump's plan to deport millions of people.

Go deeper: See interactive state and national maps.

The first of Chesterfield's planned speed enforcement cameras around 13 county schools went live this week.

Why it matters: After a 30-day grace period, which began Monday, the cameras around Moseley Elementary will begin automatically issuing tickets to speeders.

The big picture: Chesterfield announced the speed enforcement cameras late last year, noting that drivers going 10 miles per hour or more over the speed limit in active school zones had become a "significant issue" in the county.

• The county's speed enforcement cameras are similar to the ones Richmond launched last year: Violations are electronically recorded and citations are mailed to the offender.
• Offenders in Chesterfield will be fined $100 per offense for anyone going 10 miles per hour or more over the posted limit once the grace period ends.
• Chesterfield's cameras are active for an hour before school starts and an hour after it ends — and only when school is in session.

What's next: While the Moseley Elementary camera went live in early January, cameras around 12 other Chesterfield schools should be installed "within the next 6 months," Chesterfield police spokesperson Liz Caroon tells Axios.

See the full list of schools getting the cameras

🥺 Maymont euthanized Dani, a horse in its care who sometimes led carriage rides, yesterday due to age-related health issues. (News release)

• Dani was a 30-year-old Clydesdale/Hackney crossbreed who'd been at Maymont since 2004.

👀 The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit against Capital One alleging the bank and its holding company cheated millions of customers out of more than $2 billion in interest payments. (Virginia Business)

🚫 State Sen. Louise Lucas said Gov. Youngkin's private school voucher proposal, which he referenced at his State of the Commonwealth address Monday, is "not going to happen." (Times-Dispatch)

🤯 A Boston-based investment firm bought the Tobacco Row apartments in Shockoe Bottom for $123 million in December. It was Richmond's largest commercial real estate deal last year. (Times-Dispatch)

A Virginia man is going viral for pranking his wife with a fake long-lost son.

It started when the husband, who asked Axios to remain anonymous for the hate he's been getting, and his wife were watching "Elf."

• He believed his wife would be mad if, like in the movie, a surprise adult kid showed up on their doorstep saying they were his. His wife of 10 years disagreed.
• So he took to Harrisonburg Reddit to ask for a kid in their early 20s to show up at his door and convincingly take on the role for $100.
• The Reddit thread title: "Need a fake kid to piss off my wife."

The same day someone posted the thread on X and got four million views on it, the Harrisonburg man posted an update saying he succeeded in finding a fake son.

Yes, but: He did not succeed in being right.

• His wife was "full-on amazed, excited and entertained," he wrote.
• And when he finally confessed the prank, she laughed and said, "Next time, you can save $100 and just assume you're wrong."

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🏙️ Check out what's happening around Richmond.

Virginia Wine Expo presented by Publix Feb 28-Mar 9: Savor 30 distinct experiences at beautiful venues highlighting premier Virginia and international wine, sparkling wine and Champagne, whiskey, tequila, cocktails and impeccable local cuisine.

Interested in featuring an event? Email [email protected].

Fox Elementary has a cupola again.

Before the building nearly burned down almost three years ago, the dome-like structure was a more than century-long staple in The Fan.

• The fire destroyed the old one.
• Workers installed the new 43-foot-one last Friday, per The Richmonder, marking the beginning of the end of renovations to a school at the heart of Hanover Avenue.

What's next: Fox, which hasn't been open a full school year for in-person learning since before the pandemic, is slated to reopen this fall.