Spencer slips below 11,000 in new census numbers

Spencer slipped two places, falling from Iowa's 30th largest city to No. 32 in population, according to estimates released July 10 by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The most recent figures reflect population changes between April 1, 2000 and July 1, 2007. The annual numbers are only estimates and serve as an indicator before the next official count takes place in 2010.

Spencer remained the region's largest city and falls just short of the 11,000 mark, according to the new figures. It's estimated population of 10,994 is 2.9 percent less than the 2000 Census count of 11,327.

Two Clay County communities had estimated population gains from 2000 to 2006. Fostoria added 11 residents, from 230 to 241 for a 4.8 percent increase. Gillett Grove added three residents, from 55 to 58 for a 5.5 percent increase.

The sharpest decline was reported in Royal, where the population went from 482 to 422 for a 12.4 percent loss. Rural areas outside city limits in Clay County saw a 6.1 percent loss in population.

Thursday's census numbers suggest the area's most robust growth continued to take place in communities at the heart of the Iowa Great Lakes.

The city of Okoboji grew by 14.5 percent from the 2000 Census, from 820 to 939. Spirit Lake gained 372 residents for an estimated population of 4,646 -- an 8.7 percent increase. Arnolds Park saw 7.9 percent growth form 1,162 residents in 2000 to 1,254 in the new estimates.

Eastern towns in Dickinson County didn't fare as well, with Superior seeing a 11.3 percent loss and Terril slipping 10.9 percent. Rural areas outside city limits saw a 1.3 percent decrease in population.

In Buena Vista County, nine of its 10 municipalities lost population, with Lakeside only posting a modest gain in the estimates. Storm Lake went from 10,075 residents in the 2000 Census count to 9,706 in the latest numbers, a 3.7 percent loss. Lakeside's gain was 3.3 percent. Rural areas outside city limits lost 4 percent.

All eight cities in Cherokee County saw a significant loss of residents since the 2000 count, according to the figures released a week ago. Washta saw the sharpest dip -- its loss of 48 residents represented a 17 percent decline. The city of Cherokee dropped below 5,000 residents, according to the new estimates. The city went from 5,369 to 4,786 for a 10.9 percent loss. Areas outside the eight cities lost 9.7 percent of its population.

The Census Bureau said the six communities in Emmet County also lost residents, led by Armstrong's 9.2 percent decline. Estherville went from 6,657 to 6,287 for a 5.6 percent loss. The population of unincorporated areas fell 4.1 percent.

All eight cities in O'Brien County saw numbers slide, with Calumet taking a 14.9 percent hit. Sheldon went from 4,922 to 4,759 for a 3.3 percent loss. The areas of O'Brien County outside city limits saw a 6.9 percent drop.

The five towns in Osceola County all lost residents since 2000. Harris lost 10 percent of its population to show the biggest decline. Sibley went from 2,796 to 2,624 for a 6.2 percent drop. Rural areas in the county lost 8.9 percent.

The nine incorporated towns of Palo Alto County lost residents. Ayrshire suffered the most significant loss at 11.4 percent since 2000. Emmetsburg went from 3,904 to 3,651 residents for a 6.5 percent loss. Rural areas of Palo Alto County had a 7.2 percent population decline.

The nine towns in Pocahontas County lost population. Palmer had the biggest loss since 2000 at 13.6 percent. The city of Pocahontas went from 1,970 to 1,821 for a 7.6 percent decline. The rural areas of Pocahontas County had a population decrease of 12.8 percent.

Des Moines safely remained Iowa's largest city, with 196,998 residents.

Cedar Rapids is second on the list, at 126,396, followed in order by Davenport, Sioux City and Iowa City, which passed Waterloo in population for the fifth spot, according to the most recent estimates.

Waterloo is followed by Council Bluffs, Dubuque and Ames, which leapfrogged No. 10 West Des Moines for the ninth spot.

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 figures show in the last seven years, about 75 percent of Iowa's 947 incorporated cities lost population. Most are small towns or among Iowa's larger cities.

The gains are focused in suburbs around Des Moines and the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City area.

---

AROUND THE REGION:

A look at the 2007 population of area communities, based on new annual census estimates, and the percentage population change from 2000 to 2007.