Image by Flickr user BAR Photography

Despite the economic slump, Charleston has managed to pull in enough new residents into the area to land a spot on the U.S. Census Bureau's list of the fastest growing major cities.

Coming in at an impressive No. 46, from July 1, 2008, to July 1, 2009 Charleston saw a yearly population growth rate of 1.2 percent. The new numbers puts the city's estimated population at 115,638.

The study was based off the numbers collected from housing unit estimates, shifting city boundaries and county-level data that accounts for population swings based on deaths and births.

The Post and Courier has the story.