Characteristic Subgroup Growth

Let $s_n^\mathrm{ch}(\Gamma)$ denote the number of characteristic subgroups of index at most $n$ in a finitely generated group $\Gamma$. In response to a question of I. Rivin we show that if $\Gamma = F_r$ is the free group on $r \geq 2$ generators then the growth type of $s_n^{\mathrm{ch}}(F_r)$ is $n^{\mathrm{log}(n)}$. This is in contrast with the expectation of W. Thurston who predicted that there should be a difference between $r = 2$ and $r > 2$. Along the way we answer a question of arXiv:1703.07866 on the normal subgroup growth of large groups.