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Census: Iowa population down in 71 counties, urban areas up

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March 24th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – U.S. Census estimates show more than two-thirds of Iowa counties have lost population since 2010 but that counties near urban areas saw big growth. The Census data released Thursday estimate 71 of Iowa’s 99 counties lost residents and 28 counties gained population.

The largest percentage growth was 21.2 percent in Dallas County, in suburban Des Moines. That was followed by 10.2 percent in Johnson County and 8.6 percent in Polk County. The largest population growth was in Polk, where the Des Moines-based county added 37,076 people. Polk has an estimated population of 467,711, making it Iowa’s largest.Census

Clinton County had the biggest population decline, dropping by 1,348 residents. Adams is the state’s least populated county, with 3,796 people.