A closer look at Wisconsin's population loss: Columbia County

Columbia County's population held steady through the first 30 years of the 20th century and then experienced a period of sustained, incremental growth, punctuated by a 16% increase during the 1990s.   A healthy population growth continued during the first decade of this century.

But now the county has reached a plateau, it seems.  Since the 2010 census, Columbia County is estimated to have lost 90 residents.

Source:  Wikipedia + U.S. Census Bureau (2015)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

As of July 1, 2014, 16.2% of Columbia County's population is 65 and over compared to the state's 15.2%.  Its 0-to-4 demographic of 5.4% is not too far off the mark of Wisconsin's 5.9%

Related reading:
Early Columbia County numbers show small growth.  (WiscNews, 9/1/2015)

Not all population estimates are created equally.  Dan Veroff, demographic specialist at the University of Wisconsin’s Applied Population Laboratory, said Columbia County’s minuscule growth is likely a reflection of hesitation stemming from the recession that began in 2007 — hesitation on the part of developers about going ahead with plans for new housing developments, hesitation on the part of people about moving to Columbia County or adding to their families. 

The Applied Population Laboratory estimated an increase of 195 Columbia County residents as of last year.
 
Related posts:
A closer look at Clark County.  (4/6/2016)
A closer look at Buffalo County.  (4/5/2016)
A closer look at Bayfield County.  (4/4/2016)
A closer look at Barron County.   (4/4/2016)
A closer look at Ashland County.  (4/3/2016)
A closer look at Adams County.  (4/3/2015)
The majority of Wisconsin counties have lost population since 2010.  (3/28/2016)
Where Wisconsin's population growth is taking place (2010-2015).  (3/27/2016)
Dane County: Wisconsin's population growth engine. (3/27/2016)
 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates: Nearly half of Wisconsin counties lose population.  (3/27/2016)
Wisconsin population projections, 2010-2040: Top 10 counties by % decline and growth.  (5/14/2015)
Top 10 Wisconsin Counties by Percentage of Population Growth, Loss (2010-2014).  (3/27/2015)
Wiscousin counties:  Population 65 and older.  (10/24/2014)
Wisconsin trivia: What was Wisconsin's 2nd-largest city in 1910?  (/9/1/2014)
Dane County tallies 39% of state's population growth since 2010.  (3/27/2014)
2012 U.S. Census population estimates: More gains than losses among Wisconsin's largest communities.  (5/28/2013)