Sioux City population grows slightly
Posted: Friday, July 11, 2008
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa's population continues to slowly increase, with suburbs leading the way.
New census estimates show Iowa's overall population in 2007 approaching 3 million residents. Between July 2000 and July 2007, Iowa added nearly 62,000 people.
The gains are focused in suburbs around Des Moines and the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City area.
The five biggest gainers were all Des Moines suburbs -- Ankeny, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Waukee and Johnson.
The figures show that in the past seven years, about 75 percent of Iowa's 947 incorporated cities lost population. Most are small towns or among Iowa's larger cities.
The top population losses came in industrial and regional trade centers such as Sioux City, Waterloo, Des Moines, Mason City and Burlington. However, Sioux City, Des Moines and Burlington, saw slight gains between 2006 and 2007.
Sioux City grew 0.05 percent during that time.
Northwest Iowa's four other largest cities saw both losses and gains in population from 2006 to 2007. Denison recorded 0.28 percent growth, as did Storm Lake with a 0.24 percent gain. Spencer's population dropped 0.22 percent, and Le Mars' decreased by 0.46 percent.
Sioux Center and Sergeant Bluff recorded slight gains in Northwest Iowa, growing 2.08 percent and 1.86 percent, respectively.
Sioux Center City Manager Paul Clousing said many of the city's industrial companies expanded over the years, providing more jobs and fueling the population increase.
"Probably 30 to 35 years ago we had less than 100 manufacturing jobs and today we probably have over 2,600," Clousing said. "For a small community, we feel that's pretty significant."
More jobs translated into demand for new houses. Clousing estimated 35 new homes are built each year, and he said Sioux City Land Development, a private company, is building an 18-hole golf course with plans for 250 homes and a 40-acre commercial site.
The populations of Northwest Iowa's five smallest cities remained the same or decreased. Craig lost 1.02 percent, Archer 1.68 percent and Oyens 0.83 percent. Superior and Arion recorded no gains or losses.
The decades-long population decline in rural Nebraska isn't slowing. It appears to be picking up steam.
The number of towns that lost 10 percent or more of their population since 2000 tripled in just one year, according to an analysis of census figures by the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Center for Public Affairs Research.
The estimates show that 166 of Nebraska's 531 towns and cities, or 31 percent, lost 10 percent or more of their population from 2000 to 2007. That's up from 11 percent that lost 10 percent or more between 2000 and 2006.
Over the past year South Sioux City's population increased by 0.87 percent, while Dakota City's population decreased by 1.68 percent.
In southeastern South Dakota, North Sioux City's and Vermillion's populations increased by 1.21 percent and 0.42 percent, respectively. Yankton's head count dropped by 0.35 percent.
Journal staff writers Dolly A. Butz and Molly Montag contributed to this report.
New census estimates show Iowa's overall population in 2007 approaching 3 million residents. Between July 2000 and July 2007, Iowa added nearly 62,000 people.
The gains are focused in suburbs around Des Moines and the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City area.
The five biggest gainers were all Des Moines suburbs -- Ankeny, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Waukee and Johnson.
The figures show that in the past seven years, about 75 percent of Iowa's 947 incorporated cities lost population. Most are small towns or among Iowa's larger cities.
The top population losses came in industrial and regional trade centers such as Sioux City, Waterloo, Des Moines, Mason City and Burlington. However, Sioux City, Des Moines and Burlington, saw slight gains between 2006 and 2007.
Sioux City grew 0.05 percent during that time.
Northwest Iowa's four other largest cities saw both losses and gains in population from 2006 to 2007. Denison recorded 0.28 percent growth, as did Storm Lake with a 0.24 percent gain. Spencer's population dropped 0.22 percent, and Le Mars' decreased by 0.46 percent.
Sioux Center and Sergeant Bluff recorded slight gains in Northwest Iowa, growing 2.08 percent and 1.86 percent, respectively.
Sioux Center City Manager Paul Clousing said many of the city's industrial companies expanded over the years, providing more jobs and fueling the population increase.
"Probably 30 to 35 years ago we had less than 100 manufacturing jobs and today we probably have over 2,600," Clousing said. "For a small community, we feel that's pretty significant."
More jobs translated into demand for new houses. Clousing estimated 35 new homes are built each year, and he said Sioux City Land Development, a private company, is building an 18-hole golf course with plans for 250 homes and a 40-acre commercial site.
The populations of Northwest Iowa's five smallest cities remained the same or decreased. Craig lost 1.02 percent, Archer 1.68 percent and Oyens 0.83 percent. Superior and Arion recorded no gains or losses.
The decades-long population decline in rural Nebraska isn't slowing. It appears to be picking up steam.
The number of towns that lost 10 percent or more of their population since 2000 tripled in just one year, according to an analysis of census figures by the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Center for Public Affairs Research.
The estimates show that 166 of Nebraska's 531 towns and cities, or 31 percent, lost 10 percent or more of their population from 2000 to 2007. That's up from 11 percent that lost 10 percent or more between 2000 and 2006.
Over the past year South Sioux City's population increased by 0.87 percent, while Dakota City's population decreased by 1.68 percent.
In southeastern South Dakota, North Sioux City's and Vermillion's populations increased by 1.21 percent and 0.42 percent, respectively. Yankton's head count dropped by 0.35 percent.
Journal staff writers Dolly A. Butz and Molly Montag contributed to this report.
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