Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Friday, March 28, 2008

Area population inches up

By REID MAGNEY | La Crosse Tribune

The La Crosse area’s population grew faster than the state average, according to new Census Bureau estimates.

The La Crosse metro area, which includes La Crescent, Minn., grew 0.7 percent to 130,926 from July 2006 to July 2007. That metro growth was in spite of a slight population decrease in Houston County, Minn., part of which is included in the La Crosse metro numbers.

Meanwhile, La Crosse County alone grew 0.9 percent, to 111,411 from 2006 to 2007. Statewide, the population increased by 0.5 percent.

La Crosse County Planner Charlie Handy said the number’s aren’t surprising and are on track with the county’s projections of reaching 113,000 by 2010.

“We’re not like St. Croix County, which is in the top 100 counties in the nation,” Handy said of the county just east of the Twin Cities metro area. “I think we’re actually insulated a little bit from peaks and valleys that way. It’s more steady and consistent. That’s a good thing.”

The bureau’s estimates are based on the numbers of births and deaths each year, plus the number of people migrating to the area.

“We have some immigration basically, but not a lot. Immigration is not necessarily a bad thing, but it brings challenges. It brings opportunities,” Handy said.

“When there’s growth, it’s typically immigration, and typically immigration increases your diversity, which is a very good thing,” Handy said. “But that increase in diversity also creates challenges. Any of these communities that see large growth are seeing significant immigration, which just basically speeds up those challenges.”

Of the 4,088 new metro area residents since 2000, 3,033 came from natural growth, according to the census. The area’s net migration was 1,643 people.

Reid Magney can be reached at (608) 791-8211 or rmagney@lacrossetribune.com.