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Des Moines Register: 2005 Census Article

Census: D.M. loses thousands in 4 years – But many suburban areas around state are growing quickly.
By JANE NORMAN and JASON CLAYWORTH
REGISTER STAFF WRITERS
June 30, 2005
Washington, D.C. – More than 4,500 residents have packed up and left the city of Des Moines since the turn of the century, according to new population estimates issued today by the U.S. Census Bureau and immediately disputed by city leaders.Census officials said the city was one of the bigger population losers nationally between 2000 to 2004, with its 2.2 percent population drop.In terms of percentage change, Des Moines ranked No. 221 out of the 251 U.S. cities of more than 100,000 population, keeping company with Akron, Ohio, and South Bend, Ind.

The census estimates that 2,134 people left Des Moines between July 1, 2003, and July 1, 2004.

That population decline of 1.1 percent would make Des Moines one of the top 10 cities in the country in that one-year period for losing residents. Earlier census estimates found Dallas County, west of the city, to be one of the 10 fastest-growing counties in the nation from 2003 to 2004.

Paul Wilson, 55, lives in Van Meter, which from 2000 to 2004 saw a 21 percent increase in population, from 866 to 1,050, the census estimated.

Iowa’s top 10 cities

City — 2004 Population (Change from 2000 to 2004)

1. Des Moines — 194,311 (-2.2%)

2. Cedar Rapids — 122,206 (+1.2%)

3. Davenport — 98,355 (0%)

4. Sioux City — 83,680 (-1.6%)

5. Waterloo — 66,767 (-2.9%)

6. Iowa City — 63,027 (+1.3%)

7. Council Bluffs — 59,347 (+1.9%)

8. Dubuque — 57,504 (-0.3%)

9. Ames — 53,319 (+3.1%)

10. West Des Moines — 51,363 (+10.7)

Source: U.S Census Bureau annual estimates as of July 1, 2004.