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Washington, Ozaukee Counties Gain Residents; Milwaukee is Only County in State to Lose Population

Posted on: Friday, 12 August 2005, 15:00 CDT

Washington County's population grew by 8,444 residents and Ozaukee County's by 3,470 since the U.S. Census in 2000, state Department of Administration population estimates show.

Of the state's 72 counties, Washington County ranked No. 7 in population growth; Ozaukee County was No. 17.

Dane County grew the most, with 31,771 new residents, and Waukesha County was second, with a gain of 16,441, according to the estimates.

Milwaukee County was the only county in the state with a decrease. Its population declined by 1,169.

Overall, Wisconsin's population grew by 216,285 to 5.58 million since 2000, according to the Jan. 1, 2005, state estimates.

Of the Washington County municipalities, the city of Hartford gained the most people, 1,833, followed by the city of West Bend, with 1,460.

By percentages, the city of Hartford was the fifth-fastest- growing municipality in the state. Its population rose 16.82%, to 12,728. The top four were the city of Hudson (up 29.38%) in St. Croix County; the village of Suamico (up 21.55%) in Brown County; city of Sun Prairie (up 18.90%) in Dane County; and the village of Bellevue (up 18.46%), also in Brown County, according to the Department of Administration.

Of the Ozaukee County municipalities, the village of Grafton posted the largest gain, with 846 new residents, followed by Mequon, with 825.

The Department of Administration is required by state law to produce population estimates each year. The estimates are used by state and local officials for a variety of purposes including the distribution of state funds, district attorney allocation and the calculation of voter turnout, according to a news release the Department of Administration issued with the population estimates.

The state's figures are calculated differently from U.S. Census numbers, which are considered to be the nation's official population data. While the census mails surveys to individual residences, the state derives a population estimate by using vehicle registrations, tax filings, school enrollment, changes in housing units, institutional enrollment, and records of births and deaths.

Copyright 2005, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved. (Note: This notice does not apply to those news items already copyrighted and received through wire services or other media.)

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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