(Des Moines)– New census figures show Iowa’s population is up slightly, with Dallas and Linn counties leading the way.
Overall, the state’s population grew by 1.9 percent since the 2000 census, to almost three million. During that time, 35 counties gained population while 64 lost residents.
Locally, Dickinson, Sioux and Plymouth were the only counties in northwest Iowa posting population gains. Dickinson and Sioux counties each experienced a three percent increase since 2000; Plymouth county experienced a growth of two-tenths of a percent.
Everyone else posted declines, including Clay county which saw a 3.3 percent decline; Osceola county experienced a 5.3 percent drop; O’Brien county was down 4.6 percent; Cherokee county posted a 7.2 percent reduction; Buena Vista county was down 1.6 percent; Emmet county experienced a five percent drop; and Palo Alto county saw a 5.9 percent drop in its population.
The biggest loser in northwest Iowa was Pocahontas county, which experienced a 10 percent decline.
(A portion of this story was derived from the Associated Press.).
